Horatio and Laura Allen Farm · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Duvall than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duvall gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #169 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Duvall 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 Duvall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Duvall, and Duvall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 43% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #169 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Duvall’s residents live in 2 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, Duvall has more expected damage per building than 59% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Duvall: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Duvall flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Duvall, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $19K
Duvall 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Duvall
Disasters that paid out in Duvall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Duvall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Duvall for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$12K to the City of Duvall for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$47K to the City of Duvall for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$7K to the City of Duvall for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Duvall for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$18K to the City of Duvall for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$49K to the City of Duvall for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$7K to the City of Duvall 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 Duvall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Duvall archive →Get ready for what Duvall 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 Duvall
Is Duvall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duvall has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #169 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Duvall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Duvall since 2006, $21K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Duvall 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 Duvall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Duvall’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 Duvall?
By FEMA money that reached Duvall, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $49K to the City of Duvall for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Duvall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Duvall’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Duvall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Duvall’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.