Photo: KJRSeattle · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Sequim faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sequim gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #220 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (81%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1990.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Sequim faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Sequim’s grade
Earthquakes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sequim, and Sequim’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 18% (lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
D #220 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sequim’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sequim has more expected damage per building than 77% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Sequim: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sequim flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sequim, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sequim isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clallam County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sequim
Disasters that paid out in Sequim itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sequim), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$43K to the City of Sequim for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$380 aid approved
- 2018Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado$8K to the City of Sequim for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T$4K to the City of Sequim for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Sequim for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Clallam County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sequim after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sequim archive →Sequim and its neighbors
Sequim is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Hill | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | — |
| Sequim | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 2 |
| River Road | — | 756 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Sequim faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sequim
Is Sequim at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sequim has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #220 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (81%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sequim flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sequim since 1990, $56K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sequim in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Clallam County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sequim?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sequim’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sequim?
By FEMA money that reached Sequim, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $43K to the City of Sequim for repairs.
Is Sequim at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Sequim’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sequim.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sequim’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.