Frederick W. Winters House · Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bellevue than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #197 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (71%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1981.
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 Bellevue’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellevue 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 Bellevue’s grade
Earthquakes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellevue, and Bellevue’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #197 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellevue’s residents live in 36 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, Bellevue has more expected damage per building than 69% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Bellevue has higher expected damage per building than 76% (#306 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $139M, is the 68th largest of those 400.
Does Bellevue flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellevue, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $41K
Bellevue is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: King County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellevue
Disasters that paid out in Bellevue itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellevue), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides11 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.4M to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$203K to the City of Bellevue for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$947K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$713 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$217K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$549K to the City of Bellevue for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$730K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$20K to the City of Bellevue for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$485K to the City of Bellevue for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
King County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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 King County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Bellevue after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellevue archive →Bellevue and its neighbors
Bellevue is 8th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | C+more damage than 63% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Clyde Hill | Cmore damage than 70% | earthquakes | — |
| Mercer Island | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Newcastle | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | — |
| Sammamish | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Kirkland | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Redmond | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Bellevue | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 39 |
| Issaquah | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 145 |
| Beaux Arts Village | — | 233 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bellevue 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.
- Bellevue residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bellevue
Is Bellevue at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellevue has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #197 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (71%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellevue flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Bellevue since 1981, $970K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Bellevue 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 King County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellevue?
Bellevue is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bellevue?
By FEMA money that reached Bellevue, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2020): $1.4M to the City of Bellevue for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $41K.
Is Bellevue at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bellevue’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellevue.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellevue’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.