More hazard damage per building is expected in Bothell West than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bothell West gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #118 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Bothell West 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 Bothell West’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bothell West, and Bothell West’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C #118 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bothell West’s residents live in 8 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, Bothell West has less expected damage per building than 59% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Bothell West: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bothell West flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bothell West, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $2K
Bothell West 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.The storms Bothell West remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Snohomish County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Bothell West itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19801 flood claims paidThe year of Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens, declared for Snohomish County
- 20071 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Snohomish County
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 Bothell West after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bothell West archive →Bothell West and its neighbors
Bothell West is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martha Lake | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Bothell East | Cmore damage than 66% | earthquakes | — |
| Brier | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Alderwood Manor | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | — |
| Bothell West | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Bothell | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 6 |
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 Bothell West 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 Bothell West
Is Bothell West at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bothell West has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bothell West flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bothell West since 1980, $30K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Bothell West 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 Bothell West?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bothell West’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 Bothell West?
By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Bothell West at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Bothell West’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bothell West.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bothell West’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.