Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Everett faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Everett gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #117 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1984.
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 Everett 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 Everett’s grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Everett, and Everett’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #117 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Everett’s residents live in 31 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, Everett has less expected damage per building than 59% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Everett has higher expected damage per building than 65% (#259 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $64.8M, is the 189th largest of those 400.
Does Everett flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Everett, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Everett 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Everett
Disasters that paid out in Everett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Everett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides122 households applied for aid$457K aid approved
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$6K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado$5K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$329K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2015Severe Windstorm$182K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2014Flooding and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 13
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$360K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$223K to the City of Everett for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$29K to the City of Everett for repairs
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 Everett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Everett archive →Everett and its neighbors
Everett is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Everett 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 Everett
Is Everett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Everett has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #117 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Everett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Everett since 1984, $257K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Everett 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 Everett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Everett’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 Everett?
By FEMA money that reached Everett, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 122 households applied for aid, $457K approved.
Is Everett at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Everett’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Everett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Everett’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.