Hazards

Seattle is a beautiful place to live, but it is not hazard free. Heavy winter storms routinely sweep through the city. Sometimes the heavy rain triggers landslides, and other times it triggers urban flooding. Seattle has been the scene of civil disorder (Mardi Gras 2001 and the WTO) and tragic hotel fires (the Ozark Fire), but most significantly, Seattle is earthquake country. The 2001 Nisqually Earthquake that rocked Seattle caused millions of dollars in damage, but this quake pales in comparison to a Cascadia Megathrust earthquake, that could rival the one that unleashed the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2005, or a Seattle Fault earthquake that would be centered right in the middle of the city.

This section contains information on these and other hazards as well as links to resources about preparing for them. Although these hazards can seem overwhelming, experience shows that you can dramatically reduce your risk by completing a few simple tasks. See our preparedness section for more details.

Hot Topics

Seattle Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis (PDF) - Learn what hazards pose the most risk for Seattle.

Seattle All-Hazards Mitigation Plan (PDF) - Explains what Seattle is doing to reduce hazard exposure risks.

Is Your Home Protected (PDF) - Reduce non-structural hazards in your home