{"id":87225,"date":"2023-09-28T10:38:36","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T17:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=87225"},"modified":"2023-09-28T10:38:36","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T17:38:36","slug":"natural-disasters-in-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/natural-disasters-in-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Disasters in Washington: What Homeowners and Renters Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Washington boasts coastal beauty, varied landscapes, and diverse climates ranging from rainy floodplains to glaciated peaks. Influenced by the Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountains, the western part of the state is wetter and milder, while the east is drier before becoming green and forested in the southeast.<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter where you live in Washington, though, you are at risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires, flooding, landslides, and more. When these happen, it\u2019s essential to be prepared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what are the most common natural disasters in Washington, how are they changing, and what can you do to prepare? Whether you\u2019re planning a <\/span>move to Seattle<\/span><\/a> or are looking at <\/span>apartments in Spokane<\/span><\/a>, read on for everything you need to know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Washington wildfires<\/span><\/h2>\n
Washington cities most at risk of wildfires<\/b><\/h5>\n
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  1. Wenatchee:<\/b> 51% of properties at risk<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Yakima: <\/b>43% of properties at risk<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Kennewick<\/b>: 33% of properties at risk<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Wildfires are a major natural disaster in Washington. In just the past five years, wildfires have cost the state more than <\/span>$153 million per year<\/span><\/a>, which is more than <\/span>six times<\/span><\/a> the cost of 10 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fires can happen throughout the state, but they\u2019re <\/span>more common<\/span><\/a> in Eastern Washington and around the Cascades. Fires impact homeowners, too; according to <\/span>data from First Street Foundation<\/span><\/a>, 1.6 million properties (52%) are at risk of being affected by a wildfire in the next 30 years. Fires can also <\/span>dramatically impact<\/span><\/a> air quality for the <\/span>entire state\u2019s population<\/span><\/a> (7.8 million people).<\/span><\/p>\n

    The state’s <\/span>fire season<\/span><\/a> is typically from June to September, but it\u2019s growing longer and varies depending on snowpack, rainfall, and temperatures. While historically not a major issue, wildfires have become <\/span>increasingly destructive<\/span><\/a> and are projected to get worse due to climate change.<\/span> Moreover, <\/span>50 years of fire suppression<\/span><\/a> has created dry, overgrown forests, which are primed to burn<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>The most recent large fire was the 2020 <\/span>Whitney Fire<\/span><\/a>, which burned more than 130,000 acres near Spokane.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Wildfires also increase the area\u2019s vulnerability to flooding, landslides, mudslides, and drought. This is because fires burn tree cover, which <\/span>reduces seasonal snowpack<\/span><\/a> and harms watersheds.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How to prepare for wildfires in Washington<\/span><\/h3>\n

    As Washington wildfires grow, <\/span>preparing for them<\/span><\/a> is more essential than ever. Here are some tips to help:<\/span><\/p>\n