Photo: Nesnad · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Nooksack’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nooksack gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 62 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 Nooksack’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nooksack 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 Nooksack’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nooksack, and Nooksack’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nooksack’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Nooksack: $634K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nooksack flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nooksack, from FEMA’s records: 98.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver34 claims · $3.5M
Nooksack 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nooksack
Disasters that paid out in Nooksack itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nooksack), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides46 households applied for aid$539K aid approved34 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides111 households applied for aid$667K aid approved$26K to the City of Nooksack for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$1K to the City of Nooksack for repairs
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 Nooksack after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nooksack archive →Nooksack and its neighbors
Nooksack is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everson | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
| Nooksack | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
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 Nooksack 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 Nooksack
Is Nooksack at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nooksack has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nooksack flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Nooksack since 1983, $5.8M in all, or 98.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (34).
Is Nooksack 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 Nooksack?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nooksack’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 Nooksack?
By FEMA money that reached Nooksack, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 111 households applied for aid, $667K approved, and $26K to the City of Nooksack for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 34 paid, $3.5M.
Is Nooksack at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Nooksack’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nooksack.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nooksack’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.