Photo: Sea Cow · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Edmonds’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edmonds gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #123 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (73%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1986.
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 Edmonds 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 Edmonds’ grade
Earthquakes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edmonds, and Edmonds’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #123 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edmonds’ residents live in 13 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, Edmonds has less expected damage per building than 57% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.0M a year in losses across Edmonds: $14.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edmonds flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edmonds, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $87K
Edmonds 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edmonds
Disasters that paid out in Edmonds itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Edmonds), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$39K to the City of Edmonds for repairs
- 2015Severe Windstorm$64K to the City of Edmonds for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$42K to the City of Edmonds for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$46K to the City of Edmonds for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides61 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$20K to the City of Edmonds for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$23K to the City of Edmonds for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$179 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$3K to the City of Edmonds for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Edmonds after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edmonds archive →Edmonds and its neighbors
Edmonds is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodway | B−less damage than 53% | earthquakes | — |
| Meadowdale | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | — |
| Edmonds | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | 19 |
| Lynnwood | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 29 |
| Mountlake Terrace | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Shoreline | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 4 |
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 Edmonds 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 Edmonds
Is Edmonds at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edmonds has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #123 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (73%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edmonds flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Edmonds since 1986, $404K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Edmonds 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 Edmonds?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edmonds’ 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 Edmonds?
By FEMA money that reached Edmonds, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 61 households applied for aid, $95K approved, and $20K to the City of Edmonds for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $87K.
Is Edmonds at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Edmonds’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edmonds.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edmonds’ 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.