Black Diamond Cemetery · Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Black Diamond than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Diamond gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #130 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (47%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Black Diamond 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
Earthquakes
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 Black Diamond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black Diamond, and Black Diamond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 47% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #130 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Black Diamond’s residents live in 2 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, Black Diamond has less expected damage per building than 55% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Black Diamond: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Black Diamond flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Black Diamond. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Black Diamond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: King County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Diamond
Disasters that paid out in Black Diamond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Black Diamond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$72K to the City of Black Diamond for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$19K to the City of Black Diamond for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$38K to the City of Black Diamond for repairs
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 Black Diamond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Diamond archive →Black Diamond and its neighbors
Black Diamond has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lake Morton-Berrydale | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Black Diamond 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Black Diamond
Is Black Diamond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Diamond has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #130 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Black Diamond 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 Black Diamond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Diamond’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 Black Diamond?
By FEMA money that reached Black Diamond, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $72K to the City of Black Diamond for repairs.
Is Black Diamond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Black Diamond’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Diamond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Diamond’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.