FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Burien than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burien gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #207 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Burien 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 Burien’s grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burien, and Burien’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #207 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burien’s residents live in 15 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, Burien has more expected damage per building than 73% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.2M a year in losses across Burien: $20.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burien flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burien, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm3 claims · $28K
Burien 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burien
Disasters that paid out in Burien itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burien), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$63K to the City of Burien for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$219 aid approved$70K to the City of Burien for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$94K to the City of Burien for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$42K to the City of Burien for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$180K to the City of Burien for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$17K to the City of Burien 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 Burien after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burien archive →Burien and its neighbors
Burien is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normandy Park | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Seattle | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 156 |
| White Center | C−more damage than 84% | earthquakes | — |
| Burien | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Boulevard Park | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| SeaTac | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Tukwila | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 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 Burien 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 Burien
Is Burien at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burien has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #207 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burien flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Burien since 1996, $111K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (3).
Is Burien 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 Burien?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burien’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 Burien?
By FEMA money that reached Burien, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $180K to the City of Burien for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 3 paid, $28K.
Is Burien at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Burien’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burien.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burien’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.