FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Whatcom County as relatively moderate and reports modeled annual probability of 0.55% per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Whatcom County reports modeled annual probability of 0.55% per year for earthquake. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively moderate; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Whatcom County.
Earthquake
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
97.8/100
FEMA models earthquake annualized frequency as the probability of a qualifying occurrence in a given year across the FEMA geography shown.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Whatcom County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Bellingham, FEMA rates earthquake risk for Whatcom County as relatively moderate, with a relative score of 97.8/100. The next highest relative scores are landslide at 96.6/100 and avalanche at 88.9/100.
Using FEMA data for Whatcom County, Bellingham is #14 among 18 covered Washington entries for earthquake risk. Marysville is about 49 straight-line miles from the Bellingham map point; its FEMA figures cover Snohomish County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Bellingham? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Bellingham. All FEMA figures on this page cover Whatcom County.
The FEMA figures cover Whatcom County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Whatcom County as relatively moderate. Its modeled annual probability is 0.55% per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 18 Washington cities covered by this directory, Bellingham is #14 for relative earthquake risk based on FEMA's score for Whatcom County. Homes within Bellingham can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Whatcom County, the highest relative ratings are Earthquake (Relatively Moderate), Landslide (Relatively High), and Avalanche (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Whatcom County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Whatcom County an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Check whether your home has an unbraced cripple wall, an unbolted foundation, or an unsecured water heater; use a qualified local professional for retrofit decisions. Secure tall furniture and heavy objects that could fall where people sleep or sit. Use Ready.gov Earthquakes and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Earthquake rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marysville, WA | 49 mi | Relatively High | 99.3 |
| Everett, WA | 57 mi | Relatively High | 99.3 |
| Kirkland, WA | 74 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Seattle, WA | 79 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Bellevue, WA | 81 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.