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Fireboat No.1Fireboat No.1 · Photo: Mike Lane · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Tacoma · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Tacoma faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tacoma gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #187 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (80%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1979.

Earthquakes 80%River and rain flooding 19%

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

more than 83%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#187 of 285 in Washington
Hazard risk
C−#187 of 285
in Washington · higher than 83% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Earthquakes
80% of expected building damage
Flood claims
54
paid since 1979 · $1.2M
Flooded more than once
4
properties · 3 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
8
of 21 declared for Pierce County

What stands out about Tacoma’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Moved out of harm’s way36 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 1 flood-prone home bought out and moved with FEMA grants.Remembers 199011 flood claims were paid for 1990 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Tacoma faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Earthquakes

80%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts

River and rain flooding

19%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 9 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Coastal flooding Volcanic activity top 0% Tsunamis top 1% Strong wind Tornadoes Hail Wildfire Winter storms Ice storms Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
HurricanesCold wavesAvalanches

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Tacoma’s grade

Earthquakes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tacoma, and Tacoma’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Tacoma sits
Tacoma
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #187 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Tacoma’s residents live in 59 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Earthquakes80%River and rain flooding19%Everything else2%

The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Tacoma has more expected damage per building than 65% of Washington towns.

Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Tacoma has higher expected damage per building than 76% (#303 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $157M, is the 59th largest of those 400.

A firm figure. It combines 59 census tracts by where Tacoma’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Tacoma flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tacoma, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 2 claims1980: 1 claim1981: 1 claim1982: 1 claim1983: 1 claim1984: 4 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 7 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 11 claims1991: 1 claim1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 9 claims1997: 3 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 5 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 2 claims2010: 1 claim2011: 0 claims2012: 1 claim2013: 0 claims2014: 1 claim2015: 1 claim2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198619901996
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Torrential rain2 claims · $46K
54
paid claims since 1979
$1.2M
paid to owners
4
homes flooded more than once
$23K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (3)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Tacoma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Pierce County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
36flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
1flood-prone home bought out and moved
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tacoma

Disasters that paid out in Tacoma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tacoma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides108 households applied for aid$331K aid approved
  2. 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.5M to the City of Tacoma for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  3. 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding199 households applied for aid$740K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Tacoma for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$114K to the City of Tacoma for repairs
  5. 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.5M to the City of Tacoma for repairs
  6. 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides84 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$4.8M to the City of Tacoma for repairs
Show all 8
  1. 2003Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
  2. 2001Earthquake$105K to the City of Tacoma for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in TacomaPierce County only

Pierce County has had 21 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.

Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pierce County, 2020–2020.

Were you here?

Old photos of Tacoma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Tacoma archive →
Next door

Tacoma and its neighbors

Tacoma is 5th of the 9 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

University Place: hazard risk CMidland: hazard risk C−Fife: hazard risk DBrowns Point: not gradedDash Point: not gradedFife Heights: hazard risk DLakewood: hazard risk C−Parkland: hazard risk C−Waller: hazard risk DFederal Way: hazard risk CUniversity PlaceMidlandFifeBrowns PointDash PointFife HeightsLakewoodParklandWallerFederal WayTacoma
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
University PlaceCmore damage than 71%earthquakes24
Federal WayCmore damage than 71%earthquakes10
MidlandC−more damage than 77%earthquakes2
ParklandC−more damage than 82%earthquakes30
TacomaC−more damage than 83%earthquakes54
LakewoodC−more damage than 83%earthquakes2
WallerDmore damage than 90%river and rain flooding176
FifeDmore damage than 95%earthquakes4
Fife HeightsDmore damage than 95%earthquakes—
Browns Point—979 residents; we grade 1,000+
Dash Point—889 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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Tacoma faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Tacoma

Is Tacoma at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tacoma has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #187 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (80%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Tacoma flood?

Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Tacoma since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (2).

Is Tacoma 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 Pierce County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Tacoma?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tacoma’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 Tacoma?

By FEMA money that reached Tacoma, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 84 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $4.8M to the City of Tacoma for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 2 paid, $46K.

Is Tacoma at risk from earthquakes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Tacoma’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tacoma.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tacoma’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.