Clallam County, Washington
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Clallam County, Washington has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 90% of US counties. It ranks 14th of 39 counties in Washington. The costliest hazards here are earthquakes, inland flooding and tsunamis. FEMA estimates about $63 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $818 per resident. Since 1979 it has been included in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (25 major disasters). The most recent was in April 2026 (severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (281 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $1.2 million on 101 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Clallam County
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Learn the tsunami evacuation route signs.
- If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move to high ground right away.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 98.1 | $39M | ||
| Inland flooding | 75.0 | $12M | ||
| Tsunami | 83.1 | $10M | ||
| Cold wave | 38.1 | $470K | ||
| Winter weather | 91.7 | $352K | ||
| Coastal flooding | 55.8 | $244K | ||
| Heat wave | 42.0 | $194K | ||
| Ice storm | 56.9 | $88K | ||
| Tornado | 12.0 | $71K | ||
| Lightning | 13.1 | $35K | ||
| Landslide | 86.8 | $29K | ||
| Wildfire | 39.7 | $20K | ||
| Strong wind | 3.1 | $12K | ||
| Hail | 1.8 | $2K | ||
| Avalanche | 50.4 | $435 | ||
| Drought | 12.7 | $5 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Clallam County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 27
Washington also had 51 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1998
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 22 storm reports in Clallam County since 1998 and about $12.8 million in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2021 | Flood | Mt Pleasant | $6M |
| Jan 7, 2009 | Heavy Rain | Pysht | $4M |
| Jan 5, 2006 | Heavy Rain | Countywide | $600K |
| Nov 28, 2021 | Flood | La Push | $600K |
| Nov 4, 2006 | Flood | La Push | $500K |
| Oct 20, 2003 | Heavy Rain | Countywide | $400K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Feb 24, 2025. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Clallam County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Clallam County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 38,613 housing units.
Compare in Washington
All 39 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| King County | Earthquake | |
| Pierce County | Earthquake | |
| Snohomish County | Earthquake | |
| Spokane County | Inland flooding | |
| Clark County | Inland flooding | |
| Thurston County | Earthquake | |
| Kitsap County | Earthquake | |
| Yakima County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 27 | |
| San Juan County | 10 |
Common questions about Clallam County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Clallam County?
Earthquake has the highest expected yearly losses in Clallam County, about $39 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $12.3 million.
How many federal disasters has Clallam County had?
Clallam County has been included in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1979, including 25 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026.
Is Clallam County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 14th highest of 39 in Washington. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Clallam County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Clallam County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Clallam County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Clallam County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 0 hail reports and 6 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.