FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chain Lake than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chain Lake gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #199 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 87 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Chain Lake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chain Lake 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 Chain Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chain Lake, and Chain Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 33% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #199 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chain Lake’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, Chain Lake has more expected damage per building than 70% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Chain Lake: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chain Lake flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chain Lake, from FEMA’s records: 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $29K
Chain Lake 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 Chain Lake remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Snohomish County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Chain Lake itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200920 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding, declared for Snohomish County
- 19849 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20129 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, 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 Chain Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chain Lake archive →Chain Lake and its neighbors
Chain Lake is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Lakes | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Monroe North | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Chain Lake | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Woods Creek | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Monroe | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Chain Lake 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 Chain Lake
Is Chain Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chain Lake has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #199 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chain Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in Chain Lake since 1982, $1.6M in all, or 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (4).
Is Chain Lake 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 Chain Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chain Lake’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 Chain Lake?
By flood claims, Torrential rain: 4 paid, $29K.
Is Chain Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Chain Lake’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chain Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chain Lake’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.