Pierce County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
Pierce County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 98.5, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $532M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pierce County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 98.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 99th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Pierce County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at High risk — $364M in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $532M in expected annual loss for a population of 920K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pierce County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pierce County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 11 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2026.
Among 39 Washington counties, Pierce County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | High | 0.04 / yr | $364M |
| Volcanic Activity | High | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.90 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | High | 3.81 / yr | $14M |
| Landslide | Medium | 3.36 / yr | $366K |
| Riverine Flood | High | 0.11 / yr | $122M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.03 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 9.31 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.64 / yr | $727K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 27.02 / yr | $332K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $386K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.12 / yr | $1M |
| Tsunami | Low | 0.06 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.01 / yr | $544K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $71K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.44 / yr | $11 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pierce County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2020 | Fire | Sumner Grade Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| January 2009 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding |
| February 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pierce County?
Pierce County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.5 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pierce County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (High, $364M EAL), Volcanic Activity (High, $7M EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pierce County compare to other Washington counties?
Pierce County ranks #2 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pierce County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Pierce County since 1964, most often 11 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Pierce County's $532M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.