Know the Hazards

What are the Chances?

Severe Weather High

King County is subject to various local storms that affect the Pacific Northwest throughout the year, such as wind, snow, ice, and hail. Read More >

Flooding Medium

A flood is the inundation of normally dry land resulting from the rising and overflowing of a body of water. Read More >

Landslide Medium

The term landslide refers to the down-slope movement of masses of rock and soil. Read More >

Earthquake Medium

An earthquake is a naturally induced shaking of the ground. Earthquakes are caused by the fracture and sliding of rock within the Earth’s crust. Read More >

Fire Medium

King County experiences three types of fire threats: structure fires, forest fires and wildland/urban interface fires. Read More >

Drought Medium

Drought is a condition of climatic dryness which is severe enough to reduce soil moisture and water below the minimum necessary for sustaining plant, animal, and human life systems. Read More >

Tsunami Low

Recent studies regarding the potential for a great Cascadia Subduction zone earthquake off the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California coastlines indicate the local tsunami waves may reach nearby coastal communities within minutes of the earthquake. Read More >

High Probability: there is a great likelihood that a hazardous event will occur within the next year.
Moderate Probability: there is a moderate likelihood that a hazardous event will occur within the next two to ten years.
Low Probability: there is a lower likelihood that a hazardous event will occur within the next ten to fifty years.