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Set your location on the Washington page to see live conditions for your area.
What's actually likely where you live.
Before the emergency — maps, tools, and the honest picture of what Washington throws at different parts of the state.
See WA hazardsWA hazard profile
Washington's existential hazard. A Cascadia magnitude 9.0+ event would produce 3-5 minutes of violent shaking across the entire state. The Seattle metro sits on the Seattle Fault — which has its own rupture potential. Coastal communities have 15-30 minutes before the tsunami arrives. FEMA estimates 13,000 deaths, 27,000 injuries, and $80B+ in damage from a major Cascadia event in Washington alone. Mount Rainier holds more glacial ice than any other peak in the lower 48 — and sits directly above the Puyallup River valley where 150,000 people live. A volcanic event or major earthquake could trigger a lahar (volcanic mudflow) that would travel the valley at 35+ mph with no warning. The 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption killed 57 people and blasted 230 square miles of forest. Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak are also active. Eastern Washington's dry grasslands and ponderosa pine forests burn every summer. The 2020 Cold Springs Fire near Omak killed 1 person and destroyed 80+ structures in hours. The 2014 Carlton Complex burned 256,000 acres — the largest in state history at the time. Smoke from Eastern Washington wildfires regularly reduces air quality across Seattle and the Puget Sound region.
Seismic activity along fault systems creates significant ground-shaking risk.
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Damaging winds, hail, and lightning — the most frequent hazard in most US states.
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Dry conditions, wind, and vegetation combine to create serious wildfire risk, particularly in dry seasons.
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Extreme heat events endanger vulnerable residents and stress power infrastructure.
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Flash floods, river flooding, and coastal surge affect low-lying areas and river corridors.
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Official tools
Enter your address to see your flood zone designation and insurance requirements.
Source: FEMA
Real-time earthquake activity and seismic hazard maps for your region.
Source: USGS
Your property's wildfire exposure score based on vegetation, terrain, and proximity to wildland.
Source: USFS
Real-time river levels and flood stage by county.
Source: USGS WaterWatch
Weekly drought conditions by county.
Source: US Drought Monitor
Water quality guidance for households on private wells.
Source: EPA
Insurance gaps
Standard homeowner's policies in Washington exclude flood damage. Flood insurance through the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period — it cannot be purchased when a storm is forecast. Check your declarations page annually to confirm your coverage limits and deductibles.
Not in your standard policy
Flood damage — requires NFIP or private flood policy
Earthquake damage — requires separate endorsement
Sewer & drain backup — requires endorsement ($50–$100/yr)
Landslide / mudflow — generally excluded
Next steps
During an emergency
NC emergency contacts, alert signups, and real-time information.
Local EmergencyGet prepared
Step-by-step actions based on the hazards that apply to Washington.
WA Checklists