वाशिंगटन में प्राकृतिक आपदाएँ: मकान मालिकों और किरायेदारों को क्या जानना आवश्यक है

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.

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’s essential to be prepared. 

So what are the most common natural disasters in Washington, how are they changing, and what can you do to prepare? Whether you’re planning a move to Seattle या देख रहे हैं apartments in Spokane, वह सब कुछ जानने के लिए पढ़ें जो आपको जानना आवश्यक है। 

1. Washington wildfires

Washington cities most at risk of wildfires

1. Wenatchee: 51% of properties at risk
2. याकिमा: 43% of properties at risk
3. Kennewick: 33% of properties at risk

Wildfires are a major natural disaster in Washington. In just the past five years, wildfires have cost the state more than $ 153 मिलियन प्रति वर्ष, जो से अधिक है छ: बार the cost of 10 years ago. 

Fires can happen throughout the state, but they’re और भी आम in Eastern Washington and around the Cascades. Fires impact homeowners, too; according to फ़र्स्ट स्ट्रीट फ़ाउंडेशन से डेटा, 1.6 million properties (52%) are at risk of being affected by a wildfire in the next 30 years. Fires can also dramatically impact air quality for the entire state’s population (7.8 million people).

राज्य का आग का मौसम is typically from June to September, but it’s growing longer and varies depending on snowpack, rainfall, and temperatures. While historically not a major issue, wildfires have become increasingly destructive and are projected to get worse due to climate change. इसके अलावा, 50 years of fire suppression has created dry, overgrown forests, which are primed to burn. The most recent large fire was the 2020 Whitney Fire, which burned more than 130,000 acres near Spokane. 

Wildfires also increase the area’s vulnerability to flooding, landslides, mudslides, and drought. This is because fires burn tree cover, which reduces seasonal snowpack and harms watersheds.

How to prepare for wildfires in Washington

As Washington wildfires grow, preparing for them is more essential than ever. Here are some tips to help:

• Stay updated on fire weather forecasts, look at an इंटरेक्टिव मानचित्र, and follow all fire restrictions.
• बनाओ दोषपूर्ण स्थान आपकी संपत्ति के आसपास. 
• Prepare for poor air quality by purchasing an air purifier and installing HEPA air filters on air conditioning units.
• यदि आपके पास पर्याप्त पानी तक पहुंच है तो आंतरिक और बाहरी स्प्रिंकलर सिस्टम स्थापित करें और सूखे प्रतिबंध इस पर रोक नहीं लगाते हैं।
• बिजली कटौती की स्थिति में बिजली चालू रखने के लिए जनरेटर स्थापित करें। 
• Build a fireproof and waterproof आपातकालीन किट with food, water, clothing, shelter, and valuable documents. 
• अपने सुनिश्चित करें बीमा adequately covers fire damage, or understand the risks of going uninsured.
• अपने समुदाय के साथ काम करें. यह आपके पड़ोस में आग के जोखिम को कम करने का सबसे सफल तरीका है।

2. Washington flooding

Washington cities most at risk of flooding 

1. लाँगव्यू: 43% of properties at risk
2. एबरडीन: 33% of properties at risk
3. Ellensburg: 30% of properties at risk

Washington is extremely prone to flooding, especially around the Puget Sound. This is because much of the region is a बाढ़ का मैदान, with many rivers draining snowmelt and rainfall from the mountains. Most flooding in the state is due to riverine flooding from heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Some major rivers, especially the Snoqualmie River, are expected to flood every year. 

Washington usually experiences flooding from October through April, with November being the most common month. The state has had 32 disaster declarations since 1950 due to flooding, which has affected every county and thousands of homeowners. In fact, the cost of flooding in Washington is greater than all other natural hazards. First Street Foundation estimates that 14% संपत्तियां have a severe chance of being flooded in the next 30 years. 

Flooding in Washington is especially dangerous because it’s most common near major urban centers, most of which sit next to the Puget Sound or a large river. Flooding is expected to get worse as climate change progresses; rainfall will be less frequent but more intense, king tides will get higher, and snow will melt more quickly.

How to prepare for flooding in Washington

वाशिंगटन में, बाढ़ की तैयारी is essential. Here are a few tips to help:

• अपने आप को परिचित बाढ़ जोखिम मानचित्र अपने क्षेत्र में अपने संभावित जोखिमों को देखने के लिए।
• Understand your local flood and tsunami evacuation routes. 
• के लिए साइन अप करें King County Flood Warning System and download the Flood Warning app. 
• खरीद फरोख्त बाढ़ बीमा यदि आप एक में हैं उच्च जोखिम क्षेत्र and can afford it. 
• बाढ़ सेंसर में निवेश करें।
• मौसम के पूर्वानुमानों और चेतावनियों पर नज़र रखें और अपने परिवार के साथ एक संचार योजना बनाएं। 
• अपने घर के बाढ़-संभावित क्षेत्रों में मूल्यवान वस्तुओं को ऊपर रखें, और यदि आवश्यक हो तो रेत के थैले या अवरोधक स्थापित करें।
• During and after heavy rainfall, be on the lookout for landslides and mudslides.

3. Washington landslides

Landslides are a major risk in Washington. In fact, Washington is one of the most landslide-prone states in the country, seeing hundreds of events every year. Factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, rapid snowmelt, and even construction or excavation can trigger landslides. Most landslides are caused by excessive rain and snowmelt. 

Additionally, many parts of Washington are at a higher risk of landslides and mudslides due to more severe fires followed by heavier rains, though this is more pronounced in California. Wildfire-fueled landslides can also be more dangerous due to excessive debris. As Washington’s fire season gets longer and the rainy season gets shorter but more intense, this is expected to worsen

Most landslides occur near the Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and on the coast. However, all बड़े शहर are at risk of landslides, including Seattle, where 8% of the city’s surface is at risk of sliding.

How to prepare for landslides in Washington

का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा भूस्खलन की तैयारी आगे की सोच रहा है और खुद को परिदृश्य से परिचित करा रहा है। महत्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि खड़ी ढलानों के पास, पहाड़ के किनारों के करीब, या प्राकृतिक कटाव वाली घाटियों के किनारे घर या संरचना न बनाएं। Here are some additional tips to help: 

• Review areas at risk using the Washington State interactive hazards map.
• Check if your property has been affected by landslides in the past, as these areas are most at risk. 
• लचीली पाइप फिटिंग जैसी रेट्रोफिटिंग के लिए किसी पेशेवर से सलाह लें।
• ढलानों पर ग्राउंड कवर लगाएं और अपनी संपत्ति के चारों ओर सुरक्षा दीवारें बनाएं। 
• Build channels or deflection walls to direct mudflow around your home. However, if you direct debris into a neighbor’s property, you may be liable for damages. 
• खरीदारी पर विचार करें landslide insurance, as standard homeowners insurance policies generally don’t cover damage from landslides or mudslides.
• Stay alert during periods of heavy rain or seismic activity.
• चेतावनी के संकेतों को पहचानें, जैसे कि आपके घर की संरचना में नई या चौड़ी होती दरारें, उभरी हुई ज़मीन, या असामान्य आवाज़ें।

4. Washington heat waves

Washington cities most at risk of heat waves

1. Kennewick: 75% of properties at risk
2. वाल वाल: 24% of properties at risk
3. Yakima: 22% of properties at risk

Washington is known for its mild and wet weather, but it’s becoming increasingly prone to extreme heat waves. First Street Foundation estimates that 3 मिलियन संपत्तियां (60% of the population) are at some level of heat risk. Eastern Washington is more at risk, but Western Washington’s risk is growing more quickly. 

While the state doesn’t experience very many “खतरनाक” heat days, temperatures have frequently risen beyond the “Local Hot Day” mark, meaning they were hotter than 98% of days that year. Heat waves can push temperatures even further to over 100 degrees.

Heat waves in Washington are particularly dangerous because many people don’t have air conditioning, primarily in Western Washington. This was evident during the record-breaking heat wave in 2021, where temperatures in Seattle exceeded 100 degrees for three days in a row, topping out at 108 degrees. 

Washington is also susceptible to समुद्री गर्मी की लहरें, which can also cause additional heat-related effects on the land, especially during El Niño years (when the tropical Pacific Ocean is warmer.)

How to prepare for heat waves in Washington

Heat risk in Washington can be intense during heat waves, primarily in the summer and early fall. Here are a few ways to अत्यधिक गर्मी में ठंडे रहें:

• Stay updated on forecasts and advisories to prepare for a heatwave. 
• ब्लाइंड्स, शेड्स और परदे बंद कर दें। 
• Purchase air conditioning if you can, or find a location that does. 
• Prepare a meal plan that doesn’t involve cooking indoors
• बिजली चले जाने की स्थिति में जनरेटर स्थापित करें तनावपूर्ण उपयोगिता प्रणालियाँ. 
• Stay hydrated before, during, and after a heat event, especially near the more humid coast.
• बाहरी गतिविधियों को सुबह जल्दी और देर शाम तक सीमित रखें। 
• If your home is above 95 degrees and you don’t have AC, don’t use a fan to cool yourself down. 

5. Washington winter storms

Washington winters are generally mild and wet, especially west of the Cascades. Most of the state sees some snowfall every year, though, and storms can create hazardous conditions. फरवरी 2019 में, Seattle and surrounding areas received a series of storms that dropped snow for over a week, breaking numerous records. And in 2022, an बर्फ़ीला तूफ़ान hit the area, causing widespread disruptions.

In Washington, snowstorms often come from atmospheric rivers hitting the Cascade mountains. They can also come from a combination of cold arctic air paired with rain from the Pacific. Snow in Central and Eastern Washington is much more common because temperatures are generally lower in the winter. 

Winter storms are especially dangerous west of the Cascades because cities don’t have the infrastructure to handle them. For example, a storm dropping a foot of snow in Seattle would cause the city to shut down, but in Spokane, it would be a fairly normal day.

As climate change persists, rain and snow will fall less frequently but more intensely, leading to more precipitation in shorter bursts. Whether this is in the form of rain or snow, it will likely lead to more damaging winter storms.

How to prepare for winter storms in Washington

Preparing for severe winter weather events helps ensure your safety and minimizes impact on your home and family. Here are a few tips to help you सर्दियों के लिए तैयार करें:

• Winterize your home अपनी छत का निरीक्षण करके, गटर साफ़ करके, अपनी चिमनी साफ़ करके, अपने अटारी को इंसुलेट करके, अपने हीटिंग सिस्टम की जाँच करके और अपने पाइपों को इंसुलेट करके।
• If winter weather includes an बर्फ़ीला तूफ़ान, take extra precautions, such as using snow-melting salt or pellets on your walkways and driveway, clearing your gutters, and covering trees to prevent them from falling. 
• अतिरिक्त गर्मी शामिल करने के लिए अपनी आपातकालीन किट को अपडेट करें। 
• बिजली चले जाने की स्थिति में जलाऊ लकड़ी या वैकल्पिक ताप स्रोतों की आपूर्ति रखें। 
• Charge or refuel your vehicle, and equip it with chains, extra blankets, a shovel, and emergency supplies. 
• Prepare alternate travel routes, as storms often cause closures of mountain passes and create hazardous conditions.
• मौसम के पूर्वानुमानों के बारे में अपडेट रहें और सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके पास संचार का एक विश्वसनीय तरीका है।

6. Washington earthquakes 

Earthquakes, although infrequent, are a major risk in Washington. The state is home to thousands of fault lines, अनेक directly underneath cities. Western Washington is the most at risk of earthquakes, but most of the state is vulnerable. 

Despite the low daily risk, earthquakes have the potential to wreak havoc when they strike, especially in large cities. Compared to California, though, Washington experiences relatively few daily earthquakes. The last major earthquake to directly affect the state was the Nisqually quake in 2001, which caused around $4 billion in damages across the Puget Sound and prompted new earthquake regulations.

Many Washingtonians are also aware of the next “बड़ा वाला,” which is predicted to occur along the 620-mile Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) within the next century. This earthquake will likely be over Magnitude 9 and cause widespread damage along the entire region west of Interstate 5 और इसके बाद में। 

How to prepare for earthquakes in Washington

भूकंप अनियमित लेकिन विनाशकारी होते हैं और संरचनाओं, उपयोगिताओं और जल प्रणालियों को महत्वपूर्ण नुकसान पहुंचा सकते हैं। मुख्य झटके मिनटों तक रह सकते हैं, जबकि बाद के झटके रह सकते हैं वर्षों के लिए पिछले. वे केवल कुछ सेकंड की चेतावनी के साथ, किसी भी समय अचानक हमला कर सकते हैं अपना घर तैयार करना महत्वपूर्ण है. मदद के लिए यहां कुछ सुझाव दिए गए हैं: 

• भूकंप बीमा खरीदें to cover some losses in the event of a quake. This is a separate policy that you purchase in addition to regular homeowners’ or renters insurance.
• Ensure your home is prepared for an earthquake. If you live in a house built before 1980, it will likely need to be retrofitted, including being bolted to its foundation. खुद ऐसा मत करो; एक भूकंपीय रेट्रोफिटिंग पेशेवर को नियुक्त करें। 
• एक डाउनलोड करें early alert warning app.
• Keep a durable, charged communication device readily available. 
• गिराने, ढकने और पकड़े रहने का अभ्यास करें, ताकि भूकंप आने पर आप तैयार रहें। 
• यदि आप तट के पास रहते हैं, तो आपको भी ऐसा करना चाहिए संभावित सुनामी के लिए तैयारी करें following an earthquake. 

Final thoughts on natural disasters in Washington

जलवायु परिवर्तन हुआ है altered Washington’s climate dramatically, and will continue to in the years to come. In addition to flooding, wildfires, and heat waves, droughts are also becoming more common and widespread, especially in the summer. The state is taking an active role in mitigating disasters, but और काम आवश्यक है। 

If you’re considering moving to Washington or already call the Evergreen State home, make sure you’re prepared for natural disasters. Understanding your risks and adequately preparing are helpful to make the most out of वाशिंगटन में रह रहे हैं। राष्ट्रीय मौसम सेवा और Washington State Government offer experimental maps that show forecasted and possible risks in any given area, which can help you prepare. 

अंततः, कई प्राकृतिक आपदाएँ बदतर हो जाती हैं जलवायु परिवर्तन. तो इससे कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता कि आप कैसे तैयारी करते हैं, अपने कार्बन पदचिह्न को कम करना और प्रणालीगत परिवर्तन के लिए लड़ना सर्वोत्तम दीर्घकालिक समाधान हैं। 

“At risk” means a property has a major or greater probability of being affected by a certain risk in the next 30 years. State and metro data is courtesy of पहला स्ट्रीट फाउंडेशन. 

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• स्रोत: https://www.redfin.com/blog/natural-disasters-in-washington/