Photo: Elwood j blues · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Brier than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brier gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #100 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (56%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Brier 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 Brier’s grade
Earthquakes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brier, and Brier’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 44% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C #100 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brier’s residents live in 3 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, Brier has less expected damage per building than 65% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Brier: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brier flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brier, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brier 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brier
Disasters that paid out in Brier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Windstorm$10K to the City of Brier for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$5K to the City of Brier for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$9K to the City of Brier for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$2K to the City of Brier for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$1K to the City of Brier for repairs
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 Brier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brier archive →Brier and its neighbors
Brier has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brier | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Alderwood Manor | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | — |
| Bothell West | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Mountlake Terrace | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Brier 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 Brier
Is Brier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brier has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #100 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (56%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Brier since 1996, $16K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brier 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 Brier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brier’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 Brier?
By FEMA money that reached Brier, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 9 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $9K to the City of Brier for repairs.
Is Brier at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Brier’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brier’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.