واشنگٹن میں قدرتی آفات: گھر کے مالکان اور کرایہ داروں کو کیا جاننے کی ضرورت ہے۔

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 یا دیکھ رہے ہیں؟ apartments in Spokaneآپ کو جاننے کی ضرورت ہر چیز کے لیے پڑھیں۔ 

1. Washington wildfires

Washington cities most at risk of wildfires

1. Wenatchee: 51% of properties at risk
2. یکیما: 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 year 153 ملین ہر سال، جو اس سے زیادہ ہے چھ بار the cost of 10 years ago. 

Fires can happen throughout the state, but they’re زیادہ عام in Eastern Washington and around the Cascades. Fires impact homeowners, too; according to فرسٹ اسٹریٹ فاؤنڈیشن کا ڈیٹا, 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).

ریاست کی آگ کا موسم 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. اس کے علاوہ، 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 انٹرایکٹو نقشہ, and follow all fire restrictions.
• ایک تخلیق کریں دفاعی جگہ around your property. 
• Prepare for poor air quality by purchasing an air purifier and installing HEPA air filters on air conditioning units.
• اندرونی اور بیرونی چھڑکاؤ کے نظام کو انسٹال کریں، اگر آپ کو کافی پانی تک رسائی حاصل ہے اور خشک سالی کی پابندیاں اسے منع نہیں کرتی ہیں۔
• بجلی بند ہونے کی صورت میں بجلی کو چلانے کے لیے جنریٹر لگائیں۔ 
• Build a fireproof and waterproof ہنگامی کٹ with food, water, clothing, shelter, and valuable documents. 
• اس کو یقینی بنائیں انشورنس adequately covers fire damage, or understand the risks of going uninsured.
• اپنی کمیونٹی کے ساتھ کام کریں۔ یہ آپ کے پڑوس میں آگ کے خطرے کو کم کرنے کا سب سے کامیاب طریقہ ہے۔

2. Washington flooding

Washington cities most at risk of flooding 

1. Longview: 43% of properties at risk
2. یبرڈین: 33% of properties at risk
3. ایلنس برگ۔: 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 فلڈ پلین, 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% جائیدادیں 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

واشنگٹن میں، سیلاب کی تیاری is essential. Here are a few tips to help:

• اپنے آپ کو پہچاننا سیلاب کے خطرے کے نقشے آپ کے علاقے کو آپ کے ممکنہ خطرات دیکھنے کے لیے۔
• Understand your local flood and tsunami evacuation routes. 
• کے لئے سائن اپ King County Flood Warning System and download the Flood Warning app. 
• خریدیں سیلاب انشورنس اگر آپ ایک میں ہیں ہائی رسک زون and can afford it. 
• فلڈ سینسرز میں سرمایہ کاری کریں۔
• موسم کی پیشن گوئی اور انتباہات سے باخبر رہیں، اور اپنے خاندان کے ساتھ رابطے کا منصوبہ بنائیں۔ 
• اپنے گھر کے سیلاب زدہ علاقوں میں قیمتی اشیاء کو بلند کریں، اور اگر ضروری ہو تو سینڈ بیگ یا رکاوٹیں لگائیں۔
• 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 بڑے شہر 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

کا سب سے اہم حصہ۔ لینڈ سلائیڈنگ کی تیاری آگے سوچ رہا ہے اور اپنے آپ کو زمین کی تزئین سے واقف کر رہا ہے۔ اہم بات، کھڑی ڈھلوانوں کے قریب، پہاڑی کناروں کے قریب، یا قدرتی کٹاؤ والی وادیوں کے ساتھ گھر یا ڈھانچہ نہ بنائیں۔ 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. 
• ریٹروفٹنگ کے لیے کسی پیشہ ور سے مشورہ کریں، جیسے کہ لچکدار پائپ فٹنگ۔
• ڈھلوانوں پر زمینی احاطہ لگائیں، اور اپنی جائیداد کے ارد گرد برقرار رکھنے والی دیواریں بنائیں۔ 
• 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. 
• خریداری پر غور کریں۔ 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.
• انتباہی علامات کو پہچانیں، جیسے کہ آپ کے گھر کے ڈھانچے میں نئی ​​یا چوڑی دراڑیں، زمین ابھرتی ہوئی، یا غیر معمولی آوازیں۔

4. Washington heat waves

Washington cities most at risk of heat waves

1. Kennewick: 75% of properties at risk
2. واللہ والا۔: 24% of properties at risk
3. یکیما: 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 ملین جائیدادیں (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 “خطرناک” 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 سمندری گرمی کی لہریں, 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 شدید گرمی میں ٹھنڈا رہنا:

• Stay updated on forecasts and advisories to prepare for a heatwave. 
• بلائنڈز، شیڈز اور پردے بند کریں۔ 
• Purchase air conditioning if you can, or find a location that does. 
• Prepare a meal plan that doesn’t involve cooking indoors
• بجلی کی وجہ سے جانے کی صورت میں جنریٹر لگائیں۔ کشیدہ یوٹیلیٹی سسٹم. 
• Stay hydrated before, during, and after a heat event, especially near the more humid coast.
• بیرونی سرگرمیوں کو صبح سویرے اور دیر شام تک محدود رکھیں۔ 
• 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. فروری 2019 میں, Seattle and surrounding areas received a series of storms that dropped snow for over a week, breaking numerous records. And in 2022, an برف کا طوفان 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 موسم سرما کے لئے تیار کریں:

• Winterize your home اپنی چھت کا معائنہ کرکے، گٹر صاف کرکے، اپنی چمنی کی صفائی کرکے، اپنے اٹاری کو موصل کرکے، اپنے ہیٹنگ سسٹم کی جانچ کرکے، اور اپنے پائپوں کو موصل کرکے۔
• If winter weather includes an برف کا طوفان, 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. 
• اضافی گرمی شامل کرنے کے لیے اپنی ایمرجنسی کٹ کو اپ ڈیٹ کریں۔ 
• بجلی ختم ہونے کی صورت میں لکڑی یا متبادل حرارتی ذرائع کی فراہمی رکھیں۔ 
• 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.
• موسم کی پیشن گوئی کے بارے میں اپ ڈیٹ رہیں اور یقینی بنائیں کہ آپ کے پاس مواصلت کا ایک قابل اعتماد طریقہ ہے۔

6. Washington earthquakes 

Earthquakes, although infrequent, are a major risk in Washington. The state is home to thousands of fault lines، بہت 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 “بگ ایک,” 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 اور اس سے آگے 

How to prepare for earthquakes in Washington

زلزلے بے قاعدہ لیکن تباہ کن ہیں اور ڈھانچے، افادیت اور پانی کے نظام کو نمایاں نقصان پہنچا سکتے ہیں۔ اہم جھٹکے منٹوں تک رہ سکتے ہیں، جبکہ آفٹر شاکس ہو سکتے ہیں۔ گزشتہ سال کے لئے. وہ اچانک، کسی بھی وقت، صرف چند سیکنڈ کی وارننگ کے ساتھ حملہ کر سکتے ہیں۔ اپنے گھر کی تیاری اہم ہے۔. مدد کے لیے یہاں چند تجاویز ہیں: 

• زلزلہ انشورنس خریدیں۔ 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. یہ کام خود نہ کریں۔; سیسمک ریٹروفٹنگ پروفیشنل کی خدمات حاصل کریں۔ 
• ڈاؤن لوڈ ایک early alert warning app.
• Keep a durable, charged communication device readily available. 
• گرنے، ڈھانپنے اور پکڑے رہنے کی مشق کریں، تاکہ زلزلہ آنے پر آپ تیار رہیں۔ 
• اگر آپ ساحل کے قریب رہتے ہیں، تو آپ کو بھی کرنا چاہیے۔ ممکنہ سونامی کے لیے تیار رہیں following an earthquake. 

Final thoughts on natural disasters in Washington

Climate change has 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 مزید کام ضروری ہے. 

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 living in Washington. قومی موسم کی سروس اور Washington State Government offer experimental maps that show forecasted and possible risks in any given area, which can help you prepare. 

آخر میں، بہت سے قدرتی آفات کی طرف سے خراب ہو جاتے ہیں موسمیاتی تبدیلی. تو اس سے کوئی فرق نہیں پڑتا ہے کہ آپ کس طرح تیاری کرتے ہیں، آپ کے کاربن فوٹ پرنٹ کو کم کرنا اور نظامی تبدیلی کے لیے لڑنا بہترین طویل مدتی حل ہیں۔ 

“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 پہلی اسٹریٹ فاؤنڈیشن. 

یہ مضمون صرف معلوماتی مقاصد کے لیے ہے۔ انفرادی نتائج مختلف ہو سکتے ہیں۔ اس کا مقصد لائسنس یافتہ اور بانڈڈ ہوم سروسز یا آفات سے بچاؤ کے پیشہ ور افراد کی خدمات کے متبادل کے طور پر نہیں ہے۔ ہمیشہ ماہر سے مشورہ لیں اور آفت سے پہلے، دوران اور بعد میں تمام سرکاری رہنمائی پر عمل کریں۔ 

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