Photo: ECTran71 · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Mountlake Terrace than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountlake Terrace gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #156 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (71%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1994.
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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace’s grade
Earthquakes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mountlake Terrace, and Mountlake Terrace’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #156 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mountlake Terrace’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, Mountlake Terrace has more expected damage per building than 55% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Mountlake Terrace: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mountlake Terrace flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mountlake Terrace, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $27K
Mountlake Terrace 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mountlake Terrace
Disasters that paid out in Mountlake Terrace itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mountlake Terrace), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2015Severe Windstorm$35K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$15K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$51K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides21 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$4K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$10K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$7K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$6K to the City of Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mountlake Terrace archive →Mountlake Terrace and its neighbors
Mountlake Terrace is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brier | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 2 |
| 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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
Is Mountlake Terrace at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mountlake Terrace has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #156 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (71%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mountlake Terrace flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Mountlake Terrace since 1994, $53K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mountlake Terrace’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 Mountlake Terrace?
By FEMA money that reached Mountlake Terrace, Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $51K to the City of Mountlake Terrace for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Mountlake Terrace at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Mountlake Terrace’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mountlake Terrace.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mountlake Terrace’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.