Vancouver, WA (ZIP 98661) has a moderate disaster history with 13 recorded events. These include 6 earthquakes, 3 tornadoes, and 2 hailstorms. Total documented property damage amounts to $25.8M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 300 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Vancouver is earthquakes, with 6 recorded events making up 46% 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 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Nov 19, 2012.
Vancouver has experienced 3 tornadoes on record. Of these, 2 (67%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $25.8M in documented property damage. 6 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jan 10, 2008.
Vancouver has experienced 2 hailstorms on record. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 17, 2004.
Vancouver has experienced 2 wildfires on record. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on May 4, 2021.
The most significant disaster event on record for Vancouver was EF3 Tornado on Apr 5, 1972, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 6 fatalities. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (Jan 10, 2008), causing $525K in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 98661 has experienced 13 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (6 events), tornadoes (3 events), hailstorms (2 events), and wildfires (2 events). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 46% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Vancouver, WA, with 6 events documented.
Vancouver has 3 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 $25.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jan 10, 2008.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 98661 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 5, 1972. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 6 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $25.8M in property damage in the Vancouver, WA area (ZIP 98661). 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 →