Photo: Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Medina faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #79 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Medina 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 Medina’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medina, and Medina’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #79 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medina’s residents live in 2 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, Medina has less expected damage per building than 73% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Medina: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medina flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medina, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Medina isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: King County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medina
Disasters that paid out in Medina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Medina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$883 aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$28K to the City of Medina for repairs
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 Medina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medina archive →Medina and its neighbors
Medina has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | C+more damage than 63% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Clyde Hill | Cmore damage than 70% | earthquakes | — |
| Mercer Island | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Seattle | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 156 |
| Bellevue | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 39 |
| Hunts Point | — | 289 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Medina 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 Medina
Is Medina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #79 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Medina since 2019, $163K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Medina 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 Medina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medina’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 Medina?
By FEMA money that reached Medina, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $28K to the City of Medina for repairs.
Is Medina at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Medina’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medina’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.