Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lynnwood faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynnwood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #154 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (79%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1983.
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 Lynnwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lynnwood 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 Lynnwood’s grade
Earthquakes are 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynnwood, and Lynnwood’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #154 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynnwood’s residents live in 12 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, Lynnwood has more expected damage per building than 54% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.9M a year in losses across Lynnwood: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynnwood flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynnwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm15 claims · $742K
Lynnwood 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynnwood
Disasters that paid out in Lynnwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lynnwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$18K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs
- 2015Severe Windstorm$91K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$207 aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$57K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides62 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$16K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Lynnwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynnwood archive →Lynnwood and its neighbors
Lynnwood is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowdale | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | — |
| North Lynnwood | Cmore damage than 65% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Alderwood Manor | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | — |
| Edmonds | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | 19 |
| Lynnwood | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 29 |
| Mountlake Terrace | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Lynnwood 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 Lynnwood
Is Lynnwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynnwood has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #154 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (79%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynnwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Lynnwood since 1983, $1.6M in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (15).
Is Lynnwood 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 Lynnwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynnwood’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 Lynnwood?
By FEMA money that reached Lynnwood, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 62 households applied for aid, $136K approved, and $16K to the City of Lynnwood for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 15 paid, $742K.
Is Lynnwood at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lynnwood’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynnwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynnwood’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.