More hazard damage per building is expected in Shoreline than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shoreline gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #192 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (74%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2007.
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 Shoreline 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 Shoreline’s grade
Earthquakes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shoreline, and Shoreline’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #192 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shoreline’s residents live in 15 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, Shoreline has more expected damage per building than 67% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $41.3M a year in losses across Shoreline: $25.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shoreline flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shoreline, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $4K
Shoreline 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shoreline
Disasters that paid out in Shoreline itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shoreline), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$848 aid approved
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Shoreline for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$79K to the City of Shoreline for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$51K to the City of Shoreline for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides56 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$119K to the City of Shoreline for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$15K to the City of Shoreline for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$950 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 Shoreline after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shoreline archive →Shoreline and its neighbors
Shoreline is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonds | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | 19 |
| Lake Forest Park | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Seattle | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 156 |
| Shoreline | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 4 |
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 Shoreline 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 Shoreline
Is Shoreline at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shoreline has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #192 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (74%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shoreline flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Shoreline since 2007, $23K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Shoreline 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 Shoreline?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shoreline’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 Shoreline?
By FEMA money that reached Shoreline, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 56 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $119K to the City of Shoreline for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Shoreline at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Shoreline’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shoreline.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shoreline’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.