Seattle, WA (ZIP 98136) shows 9 recorded natural disaster events — a comparatively quiet history. These include 5 earthquakes, 2 tornadoes, and 1 flood. Total documented property damage amounts to $505K. A total of 1 injury has been reported across all events.
The dominant hazard type for Seattle is earthquakes, with 5 recorded events making up 56% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Feb 10, 1997.
Seattle has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $500K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 12, 1969.
Seattle has experienced 1 flood on record. Flood-related events have caused a combined $5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 9, 2013.
Seattle has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Mar 3, 1956.
The most significant disaster event on record for Seattle was EF3 Tornado on Dec 12, 1969, which caused $250K in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Sep 28, 1962), causing $250K in damages.
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 98136 has experienced 9 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (5 events), tornadoes (2 events), flood (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 56% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Seattle, WA, with 5 events documented.
Yes, Seattle (ZIP 98136) has 1 recorded flood event. These floods have caused $5K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 9, 2013.
Seattle has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $500K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 12, 1969.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 98136 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Dec 12, 1969. This event caused $250K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $505K in property damage in the Seattle, WA area (ZIP 98136). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →