Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Kirkland as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirkland gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1996.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Kirkland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kirkland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Kirkland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kirkland, and Kirkland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kirkland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Kirkland: $682K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kirkland flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kirkland, from FEMA’s records: 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kirkland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kirkland
Disasters that paid out in Kirkland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kirkland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Kirkland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$7K to the Village of Kirkland for repairs
DeKalb County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kirkland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kirkland archive →Get ready for what Kirkland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kirkland
Is Kirkland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirkland has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kirkland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Kirkland since 1996, $331K in all, or 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kirkland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In DeKalb County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kirkland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kirkland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kirkland?
By FEMA money that reached Kirkland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 2 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $7K to the Village of Kirkland for repairs.
Is Kirkland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Kirkland’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kirkland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kirkland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.