FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in High Bridge than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Bridge gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #140 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 High Bridge 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 High Bridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in High Bridge, and High Bridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 46% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #140 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of High Bridge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, High Bridge has less expected damage per building than 51% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across High Bridge: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does High Bridge flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in High Bridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver1 claim · $207K
High Bridge 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.The storms High Bridge remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Snohomish County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching High Bridge itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20251 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Snohomish County
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 High Bridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the High Bridge archive →High Bridge and its neighbors
High Bridge is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Lake | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 9 |
| Maltby | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 13 |
| High Bridge | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 High Bridge 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in High Bridge
Is High Bridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Bridge has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #140 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (46%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does High Bridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in High Bridge since 2025, $207K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (1).
Is High Bridge 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 High Bridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for High Bridge’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 High Bridge?
By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 1 paid, $207K.
Is High Bridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and High Bridge’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in High Bridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where High Bridge’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.