Photo: Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in University Place than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Place gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #110 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 University Place 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 University Place’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in University Place, and University Place’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #110 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University Place’s residents live in 8 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, University Place has less expected damage per building than 62% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.6M a year in losses across University Place: $8.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University Place flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University Place, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mt. St. Helens Eruption1 claim · $39K
University Place 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to University Place
Disasters that paid out in University Place itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of University Place), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
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.
Old photos of University Place after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University Place archive →University Place and its neighbors
University Place has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Place | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 24 |
| Steilacoom | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Fircrest | C−more damage than 80% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Tacoma | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 54 |
| Lakewood | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 2 |
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 University Place 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 University Place
Is University Place at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Place has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #110 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University Place flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in University Place since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mt. St. Helens Eruption (1).
Is University Place 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 University Place?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University Place’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 University Place?
By FEMA money that reached University Place, Severe Storms and Flooding (2003): 4 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Mt. St. Helens Eruption: 1 paid, $39K.
Is University Place at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and University Place’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University Place.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University Place’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.