Photo: Junnell at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Kent’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kent gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #239 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1986.
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 Kent’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kent 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 Kent’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kent, and Kent’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D #239 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kent’s residents live in 35 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, Kent has more expected damage per building than 84% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Kent has higher expected damage per building than 82% (#330 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $132M, is the 76th largest of those 400.
Does Kent flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kent, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver7 claims · $452K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $20K
Kent is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: King County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kent
Disasters that paid out in Kent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides102 households applied for aid$464K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$88K to the City of Kent for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$139K to the City of Kent for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$450K to the City of Kent for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$42K to the City of Kent for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$2K to the City of Kent for repairs
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$67K to the City of Kent for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$18K to the City of Kent for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$111K to the City of Kent for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Kent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kent archive →Kent and its neighbors
Kent is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Valley | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Covington | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake Morton-Berrydale | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Renton | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 11 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 24 |
| Auburn | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 14 |
| SeaTac | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Tukwila | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 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 Kent 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.
- Kent residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kent
Is Kent at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kent has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #239 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kent flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Kent since 1986, $666K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (7).
Is Kent 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 Kent?
Kent is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Kent?
By FEMA money that reached Kent, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 27 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $450K to the City of Kent for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 7 paid, $452K.
Is Kent at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Kent’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kent’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.