FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Pierce County as relatively high and reports modeled annual probability of 0.74% per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Pierce County reports modeled annual probability of 0.74% per year for earthquake. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively high; 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 Pierce County.
Earthquake
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
99.5/100
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 Pierce County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Tacoma, FEMA rates earthquake risk for Pierce County as relatively high, with a relative score of 99.5/100. The next highest relative scores are volcanic activity at 98.9/100 and landslide at 97.7/100.
Using FEMA data for Pierce County, Tacoma is #8 among 18 covered Washington entries for earthquake risk. Federal Way is about 7.1 straight-line miles from the Tacoma map point; its FEMA figures cover King County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Tacoma? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Tacoma. All FEMA figures on this page cover Pierce County.
The FEMA figures cover Pierce County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Pierce County as relatively high. Its modeled annual probability is 0.74% 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, Tacoma is #8 for relative earthquake risk based on FEMA's score for Pierce County. Homes within Tacoma can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Pierce County, the highest relative ratings are Earthquake (Relatively High), Volcanic Activity (Very High), and Landslide (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Pierce County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Pierce County an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way, WA | 7 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Auburn, WA | 12 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Kent, WA | 15 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Renton, WA | 20 mi | Very High | 99.8 |
| Bremerton, WA | 24 mi | Relatively High | 98.6 |
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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.