Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Burlington than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #246 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1979.
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 Burlington 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
Volcanic activity
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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #246 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington’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, Burlington has more expected damage per building than 86% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Burlington: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver20 claims · $1.1M
Burlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Skagit County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington
Disasters that paid out in Burlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides57 households applied for aid$650K aid approved$46K to the City of Burlington for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$98K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$50K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$31K to the City of Burlington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Skagit County has had 24 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 Skagit County, 2015–2015.
Old photos of Burlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington archive →Burlington and its neighbors
Burlington is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 71 |
| Burlington | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Burlington 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.
- Keep N95 masks and goggles for ash.
- Know the evacuation routes.
- Keep ash out of the house and car vents.
- 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #246 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Burlington since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (20).
Is Burlington 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 Skagit County, 4.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’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 Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 57 households applied for aid, $650K approved, and $46K to the City of Burlington for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 20 paid, $1.1M.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Burlington’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.