Tacoma, WA (ZIP 98402) shows 9 recorded natural disaster events — a comparatively quiet history. These include 6 earthquakes, 2 tornadoes, and 1 flood. Total documented property damage amounts to $8.9M.
The dominant hazard type for Tacoma is earthquakes, with 6 recorded events making up 67% of the area's disaster history. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for seismic events here is 5/5 (extreme). The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Feb 3, 2014.
Tacoma has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $150K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jan 18, 2015.
Tacoma has experienced 1 flood on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $8.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 7, 2009.
The most significant disaster event on record for Tacoma was Flood on Jan 7, 2009, which caused $8.8M in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (May 31, 1997), causing $150K in damages.
Explore disaster history for adjacent areas
Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 98402 has experienced 9 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (6 events), tornadoes (2 events), and flood (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 67% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Tacoma, WA, with 6 events documented.
Yes, Tacoma (ZIP 98402) has 1 recorded flood event. These floods have caused $8.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 7, 2009.
Tacoma has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $150K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jan 18, 2015.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 98402 was Flood, which occurred on Jan 7, 2009. This event caused $8.8M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $8.9M in property damage in the Tacoma, WA area (ZIP 98402). 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 →