Photo: Yordanpopovbg · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Covington than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #164 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (46%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Covington 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 Covington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Covington, and Covington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 46% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #164 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Covington’s residents live in 9 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, Covington has more expected damage per building than 57% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Covington: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Covington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Covington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Covington 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Covington
Disasters that paid out in Covington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Covington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$65K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$26K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$18K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Covington 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 Covington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Covington archive →Covington and its neighbors
Covington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Valley | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shadow Lake | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | — |
| Covington | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lake Morton-Berrydale | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 24 |
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 Covington 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 Covington
Is Covington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #164 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Covington 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 Covington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Covington’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 Covington?
By FEMA money that reached Covington, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $65K to the City of Covington for repairs.
Is Covington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Covington’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Covington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Covington’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.