Photo: Buidhe · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Normandy Park than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Normandy Park gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #144 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (69%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1990.
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 Normandy Park 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 Normandy Park’s grade
Earthquakes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Normandy Park, and Normandy Park’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #144 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Normandy Park’s residents live in 3 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, Normandy Park has more expected damage per building than 50% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Normandy Park: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Normandy Park flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Normandy Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $22K
Normandy Park 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Normandy Park
Disasters that paid out in Normandy Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Normandy Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$13K to the City of Normandy Park for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$44K to the City of Normandy Park for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$15K to the City of Normandy Park for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$570 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$799 to the City of Normandy Park 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 Normandy Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Normandy Park archive →Normandy Park and its neighbors
Normandy Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normandy Park | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Burien | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 12 |
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 Normandy Park 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 Normandy Park
Is Normandy Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Normandy Park has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #144 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (69%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Normandy Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Normandy Park since 1990, $277K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Normandy Park 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 Normandy Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Normandy Park’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 Normandy Park?
By FEMA money that reached Normandy Park, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $44K to the City of Normandy Park for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Normandy Park at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Normandy Park’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Normandy Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Normandy Park’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.