FEMA puts Federal Way’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federal Way gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #112 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (72%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2012.
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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way’s grade
Earthquakes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Federal Way, and Federal Way’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C #112 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Federal Way’s residents live in 23 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, Federal Way has less expected damage per building than 61% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $41.7M a year in losses across Federal Way: $28.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Federal Way flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Federal Way, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Federal Way 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Federal Way
Disasters that paid out in Federal Way itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Federal Way), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$54K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$194K to the City of Federal Way for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$80K to the City of Federal Way for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$48K to the City of Federal Way for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$566 aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$97K to the City of Federal Way for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
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 Federal Way after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Federal Way archive →Federal Way and its neighbors
Federal Way has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Lakeland South | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Lakeland North | C−more damage than 80% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Milton | C−more damage than 82% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Tacoma | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 54 |
| Auburn | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 14 |
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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way
Is Federal Way at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federal Way has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #112 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (72%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Federal Way flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Federal Way since 2012, $97K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Federal Way 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 Federal Way?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Federal Way’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 Federal Way?
By FEMA money that reached Federal Way, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $194K to the City of Federal Way for repairs.
Is Federal Way at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Federal Way’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Federal Way.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Federal Way’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.