Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ferndale than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #68 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (57%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 48 claims here since 1989.
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 Ferndale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ferndale 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 Ferndale’s grade
Earthquakes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ferndale, and Ferndale’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #68 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ferndale’s residents live in 7 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, Ferndale has less expected damage per building than 76% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Ferndale: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ferndale flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ferndale, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver7 claims · $447K
Ferndale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Whatcom County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ferndale
Disasters that paid out in Ferndale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ferndale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$112K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides183 households applied for aid$841K aid approved$82K to the City of Ferndale for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$53K to the City of Ferndale for repairs
- 2015Severe Windstorm$36K to the City of Ferndale for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$12K to the City of Ferndale for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$14K to the City of Ferndale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
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 Ferndale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ferndale archive →Ferndale and its neighbors
Ferndale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | C+more damage than 60% | earthquakes | 48 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | Cmore damage than 66% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Custer | — | 477 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Ferndale 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.
- Ferndale 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 Ferndale
Is Ferndale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferndale has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #68 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (57%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ferndale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Ferndale since 1989, $2.9M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (7).
Is Ferndale 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 Ferndale?
Ferndale 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 Ferndale?
By FEMA money that reached Ferndale, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 183 households applied for aid, $841K approved, and $82K to the City of Ferndale for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 7 paid, $447K.
Is Ferndale at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Ferndale’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ferndale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ferndale’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.