Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Arlington than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #131 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (63%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1990.
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 Arlington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Arlington’s grade
Earthquakes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arlington, and Arlington’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
C #131 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arlington’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arlington has less expected damage per building than 54% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Arlington: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arlington flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $63K
Arlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Snohomish County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arlington
Disasters that paid out in Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides88 households applied for aid$316K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$43K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2014Flooding and Mudslides411 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$4K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$95K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding112 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$78K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$180K to the City of Arlington for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides54 households applied for aid$207K aid approved$2K to the City of Arlington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding60 households applied for aid$170K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Snohomish County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Snohomish County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arlington archive →Arlington and its neighbors
Arlington is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sisco Heights | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arlington | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 7 |
| Marysville | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 8 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Arlington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Arlington
Is Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #131 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (63%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Arlington since 1990, $171K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Arlington 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 Snohomish County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arlington’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 Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached Arlington, Flooding and Mudslides (2014): 411 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $4K to the City of Arlington for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $63K.
Is Arlington at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Arlington’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arlington’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.