Pierce County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.