What's The #1 Natural Disaster That Can Occur In Washington State?

As a Washington State resident, you may be aware of the potential for natural disasters. But do you know which one is the most common?

firefighters helped battle a wildfire
Toa55
loading...

Wildfires Are The #2 Natural Disaster To Worry About In Washington State

Let's deep dive as we will explore what the #1 natural disaster is that Washington State residents have to worry about.

Get our free mobile app

The Pacific Northwest is prone to a variety of natural disasters, from earthquakes and landslides to floods and forest fires.

Rescue team treating injuries in the field
microgen
loading...

You might think that wildfires might be on top of the list but it comes in at # 2 that Washington residents have to deal with.

However, one type of natural disaster stands out as the most common in Washington State:

Flooding

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto
loading...

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), over 40% of all declared disasters in Washington State since 1953 have been related to flooding or mudslides caused by heavy rains or snowmelt.

Floods can be particularly damaging because they don’t just cause physical damage to homes and businesses; they can also cause contamination of water supplies and soil erosion, leading to long-term environmental consequences.

Flooding can also lead to power outages if electrical lines are affected. Furthermore, floods can last for weeks or months, making them especially difficult to manage and recover from.

Closeup of high water flooding on neighborhood street.
KSwinicki
loading...

Residents of Washington should take measures such as stocking up on emergency supplies and creating an emergency plan before a flood occurs.

Additionally, homeowners should consider flood insurance if they live in an area prone to flooding—it is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.

Finally, it is important to stay informed about potential flooding events so that you can take the necessary precautions before it is too late.

The 7 Worst Natural Disasters in the History of Washington State

Washington State is a great place to live but occasionally the state has been struck with some earth-shattering natural disasters. Here are 7 disasters that really wrecked the state.

More From 97.1 KXRX