More hazard damage per building is expected in Larch Way than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larch Way gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #70 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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 Larch 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 Larch Way’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Larch Way, and Larch Way’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #70 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Larch Way’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, Larch Way has less expected damage per building than 76% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Larch Way: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Larch Way flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Larch Way, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Larch 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: Snohomish County.The storms Larch Way remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Snohomish County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Larch Way itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Land and Muds Slides,flooding, 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 Larch Way after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Larch Way archive →Larch Way and its neighbors
Larch Way has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larch Way | C+more damage than 61% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Martha Lake | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 1 |
| North Lynnwood | Cmore damage than 65% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Alderwood Manor | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | — |
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 Larch 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 Larch Way
Is Larch Way at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larch Way has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #70 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Larch Way flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Larch Way since 1996, $6K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Larch 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 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 Larch Way?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Larch Way’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Larch Way at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Larch Way’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Larch Way.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Larch 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.