Threats & Hazards
Natural and technological hazards threaten our citizens and communities and can potentially impact a company's bottom line. An analysis of potential hazards and planning for such events will allow you to mitigate the risks, enhance safety and reduce recovery time.
Avalanches - Avalanches have killed more than 190 people in the past century, exceeding deaths from any other natural cause.
Drought - In the past century, Washington State has experienced a number of drought episodes, including several that lasted for more than a single season.
Earthquake - More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in Washington each year. A dozen or more are felt; occasionally, they cause damage.
Flood - Damage from flooding exceeds damage by all other natural hazards in Washington State.
Landslide - Landslide is the movement of rock, soil and debris down a hillside or slope. Landslides take lives, destroy homes, businesses, and public buildings, interrupt transportation, undermine bridges, derail train cars, cover clam and oyster beds, and damage utilities.
Severe Storm - All areas of Washington State are vulnerable to severe weather. A severe storm is an atmospheric disturbance that results in one or more of the following phenomena: strong winds, large hail, thunderstorm, tornado, rain, snow, or freezing rain.
Tornadoes - Tornadoes in Washington state can suddenly happen and then stop. Due to our area's landscape, they usually don't last very long and may not even receive an official "tornado EF designation" until long after the storm is over.
Tsunami - The Pacific Coast, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and large lakes are at risk from tsunamis, trains of powerful waves that threaten people and property along shorelines.
Volcano - Washington has five major volcanoes – Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. The risk posed by volcanic activity is not always apparent, as volcanoes can lie dormant for centuries between eruptions.
Wildfire - Short-term loss caused by wildland fire can include the destruction of timber, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and watersheds, and increase vulnerability to flooding . Long-term effects include smaller timber harvests, reduced access to affected recreational areas, and destruction of cultural and economic resources and community infrastructure.
Hazardous Material - Hazardous material incidents are intentional and/or unintentional releases of a material, that because of their chemical, physical, or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health, environment, or property.
Radiological - A radiological hazard is the uncontrolled release of radioactive material that can harm people or damage the environment.
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