McGrath Cafe and Hotel-The McGrath · Photo: The original uploader was Kgrr at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, North Bend faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #281 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 71 claims here since 1986.
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 North Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Bend 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 North Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bend, and North Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 24%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #281 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Bend’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, North Bend has more expected damage per building than 99% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.7M a year in losses across North Bend: $8.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bend flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Bend, from FEMA’s records: 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain13 claims · $362K
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver11 claims · $685K
North Bend is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: King County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Bend
Disasters that paid out in North Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides45 households applied for aid$308K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$66K to the City of North Bend for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$34K to the City of North Bend for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$24K to the City of North Bend for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$113K to the City of North Bend for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$13K to the City of North Bend for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$32K to the City of North Bend for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$44K to the City of North Bend 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 North Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bend archive →North Bend and its neighbors
North Bend 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snoqualmie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 889 |
| North Bend | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Riverpoint | — | 831 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 North Bend 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.
- North Bend 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 North Bend
Is North Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #281 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in North Bend since 1986, $1.6M in all, or 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (13).
Is North Bend 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 North Bend?
North Bend 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 North Bend?
By FEMA money that reached North Bend, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 45 households applied for aid, $308K approved. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 13 paid, $362K.
Is North Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and North Bend’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bend’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.