Woolworth, F.W., Company Store · Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Renton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Renton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #236 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 stands out about Renton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Renton 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 Renton’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Renton, and Renton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D #236 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Renton’s residents live in 35 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, Renton has more expected damage per building than 83% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Renton has higher expected damage per building than 82% (#327 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $73.3M, is the 163th largest of those 400.
Does Renton flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Renton, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver2 claims · $83K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $6K
Renton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: King County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Renton
Disasters that paid out in Renton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Renton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides41 households applied for aid$207K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.0M to the City of Renton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$34K to the City of Renton for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$191K to the City of Renton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$1.9M to the City of Renton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$93K to the City of Renton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$94K to the City of Renton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$30K to the City of Renton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$234K to the City of Renton 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 Renton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Renton archive →Renton and its neighbors
Renton is 7th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer Island | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Newcastle | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | — |
| Seattle | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 156 |
| Maple Heights-Lake Desire | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairwood | C−more damage than 84% | earthquakes | — |
| East Renton Highlands | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Renton | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 11 |
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 24 |
| Tukwila | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 1 |
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 Renton 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.
- Renton 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 Renton
Is Renton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Renton has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #236 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Renton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Renton since 1990, $156K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (2).
Is Renton 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 Renton?
Renton 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 Renton?
By FEMA money that reached Renton, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 18 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $1.9M to the City of Renton for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 2 paid, $83K.
Is Renton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Renton’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Renton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Renton’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.