Photo: Max Richards · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Snoqualmie’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snoqualmie gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #233 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 889 claims here since 1980.
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 Snoqualmie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Snoqualmie 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 Snoqualmie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Snoqualmie, and Snoqualmie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 39%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #233 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Snoqualmie’s residents live in 4 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, Snoqualmie has more expected damage per building than 82% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.9M a year in losses across Snoqualmie: $9.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Snoqualmie flood? Yes: 889 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Snoqualmie, from FEMA’s records: 186.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain196 claims · $4.7M
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver40 claims · $1.3M
Snoqualmie is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: King County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Snoqualmie
Disasters that paid out in Snoqualmie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Snoqualmie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides74 households applied for aid$277K aid approved40 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$119K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding236 households applied for aid$499K aid approved$218K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs273 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$39K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$105K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides114 households applied for aid$251K aid approved$162K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Earthquake$36K to the City of Snoqualmie 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 Snoqualmie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Snoqualmie archive →Snoqualmie and its neighbors
Snoqualmie has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. 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 |
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 Snoqualmie 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.
- Snoqualmie 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 Snoqualmie
Is Snoqualmie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snoqualmie has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #233 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Snoqualmie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 889 claims in Snoqualmie since 1980, $19.0M in all, or 186.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 163 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (196).
Is Snoqualmie 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 Snoqualmie?
Snoqualmie 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 Snoqualmie?
By FEMA money that reached Snoqualmie, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 236 households applied for aid, $499K approved, and $218K to the City of Snoqualmie for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 196 paid, $4.7M.
Is Snoqualmie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Snoqualmie’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Snoqualmie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Snoqualmie’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.