Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Monroe than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #244 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 66 claims here since 1979.
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 Monroe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Monroe 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 Monroe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe, and Monroe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 47%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #244 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe’s residents live in 6 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, Monroe has more expected damage per building than 86% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.4M a year in losses across Monroe: $10.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monroe, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain11 claims · $320K
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver1 claim · $23K
Monroe is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Snohomish County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe
Disasters that paid out in Monroe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monroe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides30 households applied for aid$200K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2014Flooding and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$52K to the City of Monroe for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Monroe for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides42 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$49K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$4K to the City of Monroe for repairs
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 Monroe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe archive →Monroe and its neighbors
Monroe is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe North | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Chain Lake | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Woods Creek | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Monroe | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Monroe 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.
- Monroe 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 Monroe
Is Monroe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #244 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 Monroe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Monroe since 1979, $923K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (11).
Is Monroe 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 Monroe?
Monroe 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 Monroe?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 30 households applied for aid, $200K approved. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 11 paid, $320K.
Is Monroe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Monroe’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe’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.