Auburn is subject to a wide variety of natural and technological disasters. It is important for all community members to become familiar with the hazards that can affect our unique area and take steps to prepare for them.
Below is a brief overview of common hazards, preparedness information, and helpful resources. You can find in-depth descriptions and analysis in the Auburn Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF) which is an annex to the 2025-2030 King County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Auburn’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) (PDF) was adopted by the City Council on October 21, 2019. This plan was developed to establish policies, guidelines, and procedures that will provide response personnel information needed to function quickly and effectively in a disaster situation.
Earthquakes
What causes Earthquakes in Auburn?
- An earthquake is the sudden release of stored energy in the earth's crust or between two continental plates that can produce very strong ground shaking.
- Auburn is at risk of earthquakes due to its geologic setting within a system of three distinct earthquake source zones.
- Another risk factor is the presence of alluvial soil in Auburn's Green River Valley, which can liquefy and cause significant ground damage during an earthquake.
What areas of Auburn are vulnerable?
- Auburn, as part of the Puget Sound region, is at a convergent margin between two tectonic plates of the Earth's crust. Two converging plates create a complicated system of three distinct earthquake source zones; the Cascadia subduction zone, the Benioff Zone (the most frequent source of damaging earthquakes for Puget Sound), and the Crustal Zone. The probability of a significant earthquake occurring in the Puget Sound region is high.
How do earthquakes affect Auburn residents?
- Everyone in Auburn is vulnerable to damage from shaking, which can damage infrastructure including electrical, telephone and gas lines as well as roads and bridges. Violent shaking can also destabilize rock and soil and significantly increase the physical stress on the hillsides, putting residents on the hills at risk of landslides.
- Auburn residents in the Green River Valley are at particular risk due to the presence of alluvial soil which is prone to liquefaction and can cause significant ground damage. Liquefaction refers to when water-saturated and loosely packed soil loses its strength and behaves like quicksand. This can make it impossible to travel to or from your home and can cause damage to property and infrastructure.
- Earthquakes can trigger other natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, flooding (including flooding from dams or infrastructure failure), and fire. However, the most likely impact on Auburn is building/infrastructure damage, landslides, and soil liquefaction in the Green River Valley.
- There have been 20 damaging earthquakes in the last 125 years, with the most recent being the Nisqually earthquake in 2001. This earthquake caused damage to older masonry buildings in downtown Auburn, as well as to brick and masonry structures throughout the community.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
Prepare supplies:
- Build a “Go Kit” with supplies to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. These are designed to be ready to go in the case of an immediate emergency or evacuation. They should include food, water, toiletries, first-aid, medications, important documents, and more.
- Get “2 Weeks Ready” with an emergency supply kit and prepare to shelter in place on your own with no running water, power, or help as rescue efforts may not be able to reach you for two weeks. This Kit should include everything in your “Go Kit” but in higher quantities. Don’t forget the needs of your pet (PDF).
Make a Plan Ahead of Time:
- Register to receive local emergency warnings.
- Plan a high-elevation meeting spot in advance.
- Know your evacuation routes from home, work, school, etc.
- Ask an out-of-state relative to be the family contact in case your family is separated.
Before an Earthquake:
- Listen to radio, watch local news for alerts and important information.
- Sign up for Earthquake Early Warning alerts in King & pierce County.
- Anchor appliances and tall heavy furniture that might fall. Put latches on cabinet doors to keep contents from spilling out.
- Find out how you can improve your home to protect it against earthquake damage.
- Consider your risk! do you live in an area prone to liquefaction? Is your child's school in a tsunami zone? Is your work in an area prone to landslides?
During an earthquake:
- DROP to your hands and knees, COVER your head and neck, HOLD on to any sturdy shelter until shaking stops.
- If you are in a crowded store or public place, do not rush for an exit. Move away from display shelves holding objects that could fall on you, and “drop, cover and hold.”
- If you are in a theater or stadium, stay in your seat, protect your head with your arms or get under the seat. Do not leave until the shaking stops.
- If you are outdoors, move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, or downed electrical wires and poles.
- If you are on a sidewalk near a tall building, get into a building's doorway or lobby to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass and other debris.
- If you are driving, slowly pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.
- If you are in a wheelchair, stay in it. Move to safe cover if possible, lock your wheels and protect your head with your arms.
- Be prepared for aftershocks!
Helpful Resources
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Flooding
What causes flooding in Auburn?
- Flooding in King and Pierce County is primarily the result of melting snow runoff from the Cascade Mountains combined with heavy rainfall filling the Green and White Rivers.
- Most flooding occurs in the winter months, typically from November through February.
Where does flooding happen?
- Flooding occurs mainly along the Green and White Rivers, in low elevation areas throughout the city. River flooding is controlled by upstream dams on both the Green (Howard Hanson Dam) and White (Mud Mountain Dam) rivers, so significant flooding is only expected to occur during very high precipitation events.
- Areas along the river channels will be affected at low levels of flooding, but much of northern Auburn is susceptible to inundation at higher flood stages. Flooding peaks with heavy rain events, but once precipitation ceases there is a lag period while groundwater drains and floodwaters recede.
- During high precipitation, Auburn can also experience localized flooding due to stormwater runoff.
What areas are vulnerable?
- Communities most at-risk are those in the valley floor portion of Auburn, especially near the creeks and rivers. Those in low-elevation areas throughout the city will also be greatly affected.
How does flooding affect Auburn residents?
- Minor street flooding related to clogged or slow storm drains happens on a nearly annual basis.
- If major flooding were to occur along the Green River, Auburn residents, businesses, property, and city infrastructure could all face harm.
- Floods do not just mean damaged property, they can block roadways, cause serious injuries, displace people and families, spread deadly infectious diseases, and can be fatal.
Flooding Preparedness Tips
Prepare supplies:
- Build a “Go Kit” with supplies to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. These are designed to be ready to go in the case of an immediate emergency or evacuation. They should include food, water, toiletries, first-aid, medications, important documents, and more.
- Get “2 Weeks Ready” with an emergency supply kit and prepare to shelter in place on your own with no running water, power, or help as rescue efforts may not be able to reach you for two weeks. This Kit should include everything in your “Go Kit” but in higher quantities. Don’t forget the needs of your pet (PDF).
Make a Plan Ahead of Time:
- Register to receive local emergency warnings.
- Plan a high-elevation meeting spot in advance.
- Know your evacuation routes from home, work, school, etc.
- Ask an out-of-state relative to be the family contact in case your family is separated.
Before a Flood:
- Monitor Local radio and TV updates for important information and alerts.
- Purchase flood insurance to protect your home and belongings.
- Prepare your home for a flood: move vehicles, equipment, livestock to higher ground; close store shutters and cover basement window wells; store valuables at higher elevations.
- Plan out an evacuation route that is unlikely to be inundated by floodwaters.
During a Flood:
- If you are trapped in your home or a building with rapidly rising waters, call 911.
- Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded areas.
- Stay away from moving water, disaster areas, and downed powerlines.
- If your home is flooded, turn the utilities off until emergency officials tell you it’s safe to turn them on.
- If you come in contact with floodwater, wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water.
- Evacuate to high-elevation areas or designated shelters.
Resources:
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Landslides / Mudslides
What causes landslides / mudslides in Auburn?
- Landslides are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope due to human modification of land, heavy rainfall, snowfall, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. In Auburn, landslides are most commonly the result of heavy rain events.
Where do they happen? / What areas are vulnerable?
- Landslides generally occur on steep hillsides, ravines, and plateaus that boarder the Green River Valley. You can find the landslide risk for specific areas of Auburn in the City of Auburn Plan Annex. Some recent incidents and hazardous areas to be aware of include:
- A major landslide occurred on 105th Place SE in the Lea Hill area and on Jovita Blvd in 2022.
- Steep road cuts and hillsides paralleling major sections of the West valley Highway.
- Ravines and drainage depressions of Big Soos Creek.
- There is also a debris flow threat from Mt. Rainier.
How do landslides affect Auburn residents?
- Typically landslides temporarily block roadways which can endanger or cause nuisance to drivers.
- Occasionally they can damage important infrastructure such as electrical systems, water, gas, and sewage lines which may have a more significant impact on the community.
Landslide Preparedness Tips
Prepare supplies:
- Build a “Go Kit” with supplies to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. These are designed to be ready to go in the case of an immediate emergency or evacuation. They should include food, water, toiletries, first-aid, medications, important documents, and more.
- Get “2 Weeks Ready” with an emergency supply kit and prepare to shelter in place on your own with no running water, power, or help as rescue efforts may not be able to reach you for two weeks. This Kit should include everything in your “Go Kit” but in higher quantities. Don’t forget the needs of your pet (PDF).
Make a Plan Ahead of Time:
- Register to receive local emergency warnings.
- Plan a high-elevation meeting spot in advance.
- Know your evacuation routes from home, work, school, etc.
- Ask an out-of-state relative to be the family contact in case your family is separated.
Before a landslide:
- Listen to local radio and watch local news for alerts and warnings.
- Download and review the Homeowner’s Guide to Landslides (PDF).
- Learn alternate routes to and from home, work, school, etc. in the case of road blockage.
- Learn to recognize the landslide warning signs.
During a landslide:
- Stay inside and move to high elevation in your home or building if possible.
- If outdoors, run to the nearest high ground or shelter.
- If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball and protect your head.
- If you are caught in landslide debris, move and make noise to alert rescuers.
- Assume steep slopes and areas burned by wildfires are vulnerable to landslides, and be cautious of landslides after heavy rainfall or earthquakes.
- Be aware when driving! Look for tilted trees, telephone poles, fences, and for new holes or bare spots on hillsides that could indicate unstable material.
Resources:
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Seasonal Hazards
Common Types of Severe Weather & Preparedness Tips
Drought is an extended period of abnormally low precipitation. In Washington State, the criteria for drought is that the water supply for an area below 75% of normal and that the water shortage is likely to create hardships for the people who rely on it.
- Learn about Auburn's Water Shortage Emergency Plan (PDF) and be aware of water restrictions.
- Track your water usage and make a water conservation goal.
- Limit outdoor watering and consider installing water-efficient appliances and devices .
- During a drought reduce your water use: take shorter showers, don’t let the water run while brushing teeth/shaving, don’t wash your car, only do full loads of laundry.
- Avoid outdoor burning, using fireworks, or activities that can cause sparks due to the high risk of wildfire.
Extreme heat and heatwaves are prolonged periods of excess heat conditions which can impact the health of vulnerable populations. Excess heat events can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, exacerbation of underlying illnesses, and death.
- Sign up for emergency alerts about heat advisories.
- Stay out of the heat and avoid doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of the day.
- Keep your home cool.
- Keep your body cool and hydrated.
- Never leave people or pets in cars.
- Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Check in on at-risk family, friends, and neighbors including: pregnant individuals, newborns, children, elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
- If you do not have air conditioning, visit Auburn’s hot weather cooling locations.
Severe thunderstorms can cause widespread damage through fires, flash flooding, major power outages, and transportation disruption. An important consideration for Auburn residents is straight-line winds: powerful, non-rotating winds generated by thunderstorms which can cause extensive damage to trees, down powerlines, and create serious driving hazards.
- Stay inside a sturdy building or shelter, avoid areas exposed to windows, electrical equipment, and plumbing.
- If caught outside, avoid open spaces, isolated objects, high ground, and metallic objects.
- Secure loose objects outside your home as they can become dangerous flying debris in high winds.
Severe windstorms regularly occur in the fall and winter and can cause extensive property and infrastructure damage ranging from downed trees to long-lasting power outages.
- Before a high wind event, secure loose gutters, shutters, and outdoor items that may blow away in the wind. Trim tree branches away from your home and power lines to prevent damage.
- Learn the emergency plans in place at your work, school, and daycare center.
- If you are indoors, move away from windows or objects that could fall. Go to lower floors in multi-story homes.
- If you are outdoors, move into a building. Avoid downed electric power lines, utility poles and trees.
- If you are driving, pull off the road and stop away from trees. If possible, walk into a safe building. Avoid overpasses, power lines and other hazards.
Severe winter storms can cause excessive amounts of rain, snow, ice, or extreme cold and high winds. Excessive rain can lead to additional hazards including flooding and landslides. Additionally, ice accumulation is an extreme hazard for drivers.
- During severe storms and weather events, monitor local radio and news for important information and alerts.
- Stay indoors in an interior room of your house such as a basement or interior bathroom if possible.
- Store extra fuel, and emergency supplies to survive without electricity, heat, and hot water for an extended period.
- Plan safe alternative routes to/from your home, work, and school in case roads are impacted.
- Learn the signs of Hypothermia.
A wildland/urban interface fire occurs in the geographic area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with wildland or vegetative fuels.
- Stay indoors or wear an N-95 mask when air quality is poor.
- Practice wildfire prevention.
- Homeowners in forested areas should make every effort to create defensible space around their homes.
- Request a VRFA Wildfire Home Assessment which can help you identify and understand your risk to wildfire and learn what steps can be taken to reduce those risks.
Resources:
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Volcanic Activity & Mount Rainier
Mt. Rainier, which is about 40 minutes southeast of the city limits, is an episodically active volcano that experiences seismic activity, geothermal activity, and is considered to have had recent volcanic events (150 years ago).
Lahars in Auburn
- The greatest threat that volcanic activity poses to Auburn is a lahar, a type of mudflow composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down-slope from a volcano.
How do they affect Auburn?
- The city of Auburn is potentially in the path of a lahar, which should one occur, would require city-wide evacuation. A lahar would cause catastrophic damage to the city as they can move at speeds up to 50mph and crush, bury, or carry away almost anything in their path.
What areas are vulnerable?
- If a lahar were to travel down the Green River, it would reach Auburn in approximately 1.6 hours, requiring the rapid evacuation of the valley area of the city.
Volcanic ash & air quality in Auburn
- Another significant risk living near Mt. Rainier is the release of harmful particles including gases and ash into the air during an eruption. Auburn is at low risk for volcanic air pollution as winds in Washington generally blow West to East, however they can change at any time.
Who is at risk?
- If Auburn is affected by volcanic ash, short-term health effects can include irritation of the eyes and airway, and long-term effects can include bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. People with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, or chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions are especially vulnerable as these conditions can be exacerbated by air pollution.
Volcanic Activity Preparedness Tips
Prepare supplies:
- Build a “Go Kit” with supplies to sustain your household for at least 72 hours. These are designed to be ready to go in the case of an immediate emergency or evacuation. They should include food, water, toiletries, first-aid, medications, important documents, and more.
- Get “2 Weeks Ready” with an emergency supply kit and prepare to shelter in place on your own with no running water, power, or help as rescue efforts may not be able to reach you for two weeks. This Kit should include everything in your “Go Kit” but in higher quantities. Don’t forget the needs of your pet (PDF).
Make a Plan Ahead of Time:
- Register to receive local emergency warnings.
- Plan a high-elevation meeting spot in advance.
- Know your evacuation routes from home, work, school, etc.
- Ask an out-of-state relative to be the family contact in case your family is separated.
Before a volcanic eruption:
- Monitor local news and radio for important information and alerts
- Learn about your risk! Recognize if you are in an area vulnerable to lahars and plan your emergency evacuation route and destination.
- Subscribe to the USGS Volcano notification Services to receive alerts about volcanic activity.
- Close and lock all outside windows and doors, turn off all heating and air conditioning units, fans, and vents, seal fireplaces and pet doors.
- Plan evacuation routes away from rivers and streams that may carry mud or debris flow.
After a volcanic eruption:
- Do not approach the eruption area.
- Stay indoors if possible, and wear a NIOSH approved N95 respirator while outdoors.
- If outdoors, wear long sleeves, long pants, and goggles to avoid irritation.
- If you have been told to evacuate, o to a designated public shelter or evacuation area. Go up the closest large hill such as Lea Hill, West Hill, or Muckleshoot Hill (Auburn Way South/State Route 164).
- Be aware of hazards that can result from a volcanic eruption including landslides, mudflows, lahars, and ash fall.
Resources
Hazardous Materials Incident
What is a hazardous materials incident?
- Hazardous Materials are any substance that can cause notable damage to people, the environment or to property. Typically, a release would be from industrial or transportation accidents, although purposeful releases through terrorism or emergency venting of chemicals to prevent a larger scale catastrophe can occur as well.
Are there hazardous materials in Auburn?
- Hazardous materials move through Auburn on highways, rail lines, and pipelines and are stored in fixed facilities throughout the city.
If you suspect you have discovered a hazardous materials release:
- Prioritize your own safety immediately move away from the site and remain a safe distance away.
- Do not touch, ingest, or inhale any materials at an incident site.
- Use the Department of Ecology’s non-emergency line to report releases or notify local authorities (911) who can alert the appropriate resources.
Resources
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If you have questions about any of these hazards or about emergency preparedness, please contact our office at 253-876-1925 or email us.