FEMA puts SeaTac’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, SeaTac gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #272 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (78%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 SeaTac 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 SeaTac’s grade
Earthquakes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in SeaTac, and SeaTac’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
D #272 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
SeaTac’s residents live in 11 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, SeaTac has more expected damage per building than 95% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.8M a year in losses across SeaTac: $21.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does SeaTac flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in SeaTac, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
SeaTac 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to SeaTac
Disasters that paid out in SeaTac itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of SeaTac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$126K to the City of SeaTac for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$101K to the City of SeaTac for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$53K to the City of SeaTac for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 SeaTac after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the SeaTac archive →SeaTac and its neighbors
SeaTac is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Burien | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 24 |
| SeaTac | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 1 |
| 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 SeaTac 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 SeaTac
Is SeaTac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, SeaTac has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #272 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (78%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does SeaTac flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in SeaTac since 2010, $1K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is SeaTac 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 SeaTac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for SeaTac’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 SeaTac?
By FEMA money that reached SeaTac, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $126K to the City of SeaTac for repairs.
Is SeaTac at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and SeaTac’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in SeaTac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where SeaTac’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.