FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Three Lakes than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Lakes gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #158 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 Three Lakes 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 Three Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Three Lakes, and Three Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #158 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Three Lakes’ 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, Three Lakes has more expected damage per building than 55% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Three Lakes: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Three Lakes flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Three Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Three Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Snohomish County.The storms Three Lakes remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Snohomish County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Three Lakes itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20094 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding, declared for Snohomish County
- 19841 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20151 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Snohomish County
Snohomish County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Snohomish County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Three Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Three Lakes archive →Three Lakes and its neighbors
Three Lakes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Lakes | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Chain Lake | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
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 Three Lakes 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Three Lakes
Is Three Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #158 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Three Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Three Lakes since 1984, $32K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Three Lakes 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 Snohomish County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Three Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Three Lakes’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Three Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Three Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Three Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Three Lakes’ 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.