FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Waller than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waller gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #242 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 176 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Waller’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waller faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Waller’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waller, and Waller’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 48%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #242 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waller’s residents live in 4 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, Waller has more expected damage per building than 85% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Waller: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waller flood? Yes: 176 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waller, from FEMA’s records: 56.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $21K
Waller 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.The storms Waller remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Pierce County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Waller itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199647 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Land and Muds Slides,flooding, declared for Pierce County
- 199040 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and High Tides, declared for Pierce County
- 200938 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding, declared for Pierce County
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 Waller after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waller archive →Waller and its neighbors
Waller is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Waller faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Waller
Is Waller at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waller has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #242 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waller flood?
Flood insurance has paid 176 claims in Waller since 1980, $4.8M in all, or 56.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).
Is Waller 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 Waller?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waller’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 Waller?
By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $21K.
Is Waller at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Waller’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waller.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waller’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.