Natural Disaster Risk in Yelm
Washington
Risk Summary for Yelm
Yelm scores 6.2/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Yelm, Washington
Yelm is a city of approximately 26,669 residents in Thurston County, in the Pacific Northwest. The area experiences mild, rainy winters west of the Cascades and semi-arid conditions to the east, with a critical wildfire period in eastern Washington each summer shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Yelm.
FEMA rates Yelm's composite natural disaster risk at 6.2 out of 10 — high risk. The area's position within a seismically active region makes earthquake preparedness a top priority for residents and property owners alike. Residents should also account for landslide and volcano risk in their preparedness planning.
Yelm's risk score, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Thurston County, the highest-scoring are earthquake, landslide, and volcano. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Yelm residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for earthquake and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Yelm: Earthquake preparedness
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
Local Factors for Yelm
These city-level factors differentiate Yelm from other communities in Thurston County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
26,669
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 46.9°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — summer fire risk
Fire score: 6.2/10
Coordinates
46.8524° N, 122.4921° W
Thurston County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Yelm
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Yelm
Other cities in Washington
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.