Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lynden than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynden gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #134 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2003.
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 Lynden 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 Lynden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynden, and Lynden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 47% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #134 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynden’s residents live in 4 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, Lynden has less expected damage per building than 53% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Lynden: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynden flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynden, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $6K
Lynden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whatcom County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynden
Disasters that paid out in Lynden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lynden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides11 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides48 households applied for aid$99K aid approved$111K to the City of Lynden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$111K to the City of Lynden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$82K to the City of Lynden for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$18K to the City of Lynden for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$7K to the City of Lynden for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$263 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Lynden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynden archive →Get ready for what Lynden 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 Lynden
Is Lynden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynden has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #134 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Lynden since 2003, $66K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Lynden 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 Lynden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynden’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 Lynden?
By FEMA money that reached Lynden, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 48 households applied for aid, $99K approved, and $111K to the City of Lynden for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Lynden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Lynden’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynden’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.