riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pierce County Disaster Risk

Pierce County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pierce County

Risk Verdict

Pierce County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Pierce County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (77th), tornado (41th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Pierce County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Pierce County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 28.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pierce County, WA?
Pierce County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Pierce County?
Pierce County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (100th percentile), flooding (96th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), tornado (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 100th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Pierce County risk compare to the Washington average?
Pierce County's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pierce County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Pierce County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pierce County's earthquake risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pierce County is at the 96th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Pierce County higher risk than average?
Pierce County's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Snohomish County

Washington

-0.7

Relatively High

98th percentile

King County

Washington

+1.1

Very High

100th percentile

Grays Harbor County

Washington

-1.6

Relatively High

97th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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