ZIP code 98146 in Burien, WA has a relatively limited disaster record, with 7 events documented. These include 3 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 Burien is earthquakes, with 3 recorded events making up 43% of the area's disaster history. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Feb 10, 1997.
Burien 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.
Burien 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.
Burien 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 Burien 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.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 98146 has experienced 7 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (3 events), tornadoes (2 events), flood (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 43% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Burien, WA, with 3 events documented.
Yes, Burien (ZIP 98146) 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.
Burien 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 98146 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 Burien, WA area (ZIP 98146). 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 →