More hazard damage per building is expected in Everson than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Everson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #179 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 182 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 Everson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Everson 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 Everson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Everson, and Everson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 41% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #179 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Everson’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, Everson has more expected damage per building than 63% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Everson: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Everson flood? Yes: 182 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Everson, from FEMA’s records: 169.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver71 claims · $3.2M
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $32K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $5K
Everson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Whatcom County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Everson
Disasters that paid out in Everson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Everson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides120 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved71 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides337 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Everson for repairs71 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$452K to the City of Everson for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$50K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$878 aid approved$62K to the City of Everson for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$2K to the City of Everson for repairs
Whatcom County has had 21 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 Whatcom County, 2015–2015.
Old photos of Everson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Everson archive →Everson and its neighbors
Everson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everson | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
| Nooksack | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
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 Everson 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.
- Everson residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Everson
Is Everson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Everson has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #179 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Everson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 182 claims in Everson since 1982, $7.6M in all, or 169.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 44 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (71).
Is Everson 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 Whatcom County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Everson?
Everson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Everson?
By FEMA money that reached Everson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 337 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $1.6M to the City of Everson for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 71 paid, $3.2M.
Is Everson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Everson’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Everson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Everson’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.