Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 98837, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Moses Lake, WA (98837) are Inland Flooding, Cold Wave, and Earthquake. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Wildfire and Volcanic Activity compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

/ It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
/ It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$4,484,684

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 98837

43.3Score

Relatively High compared to US average

98837

Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Cold Wave

$1,735,870

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 98837

80.7Score

Very High compared to US average

98837

Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Earthquake

$972,420

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 98837

72.1Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

98837

Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend

Very Low

Low

Moderate

High

Very High

Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER

Inland Flooding

$4,484,684

Score: 43.3

MAJOR DRIVER

Cold Wave

$1,735,870

Score: 80.7

MAJOR DRIVER

Earthquake

$972,420

Score: 72.1

UNUSUALLY HIGH

Wildfire

$795,798

Score: 85.5

Heat Wave

$794,861

Score: 77.2

Strong Wind

$91,822

Score: 39.1

Lightning

$83,986

Score: 46.4

Hail

$52,139

Score: 28.8

Tornado

$48,357

Score: 14.7

Winter Weather

$41,497

Score: 65.8

Drought

$4,903

Score: 59.4

Ice Storm

$3,095

Score: 4.3

Landslide

$753

Score: 52.7

UNUSUALLY HIGH

Volcanic Activity

$179

Score: 85.7

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 43.3

🏠Low Investment

Cold Wave Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 80.7

🏠Low Investment

Earthquake Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 72.1

🔥Low Investment

Wildfire Mitigation

Create a 5ft 'non-combustible' zone around your home using gravel or pavers instead of mulch.

Risk Score: 85.5

🏠Low Investment

Volcanic Activity Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 85.7

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0 - Dec 2025)
U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 98823 Zip Code 99344 Zip Code 98857 Zip Code 98851 Zip Code 98832 Zip Code 98853