Washington NFIP Flood Claim History: 15,837 Claims
15,837 FEMA claims · $364,538,554 reported payment-component sum · 53% A/V-family among claim-record ZIPs · Updated
Data: FEMA NFIP, FEMA Flood Map Service Center Last verified:
ZipCheckup tracks historical NFIP data for Washington: 15,837 flood-insurance claims, $364,538,554 in reported payment components, and claim-rated-zone evidence across 452 ZIP codes. The 53% figure is the A/V-family share among claim-record ZIPs, not current map coverage.
Washington has 15,837 historical NFIP claims. Among 452 ZIP codes with claim records, 53% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those claims. This is claims evidence, not a current property-map risk classification.
City Water Quality Map: Washington
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Cities with Most Flood Claims in Washington
| # | City | FEMA Claims | Reported Payment Components | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snoqualmie | 1,194 | $23,721,427 | 16,061 | Details → |
| 2 | Centralia | 991 | $35,607,123 | 27,356 | Details → |
| 3 | Chehalis | 808 | $39,993,201 | 26,531 | Details → |
| 4 | Seattle | 485 | $7,129,646 | 994,393 | Details → |
| 5 | Sedro Woolley | 416 | $8,518,877 | 26,970 | Details → |
| 6 | Tacoma | 399 | $8,215,303 | 364,667 | Details → |
| 7 | Snohomish | 395 | $6,832,795 | 66,933 | Details → |
| 8 | Aberdeen | 358 | $3,398,849 | 25,072 | Details → |
| 9 | Sumas | 348 | $22,742,670 | 3,135 | Details → |
| 10 | Sultan | 317 | $5,624,670 | 7,838 | Details → |
Flood Risk Overview
Among 452 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Washington, 53% have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone in those historical claims. This is claims evidence, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory. Residents have filed 15,837 flood insurance claims through NFIP. The sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components is $364.5M across 12,872 claims with payment data.
Among claims with reported payment data, the average reported component sum in Washington is $28K. 2,965 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.
Cities with Most Flood Claims
| Rank | City | FEMA Claims | Reported Payment-Component Sum | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snoqualmie | 1,194 | $23.7M | 16,061 |
| 2 | Centralia | 991 | $35.6M | 27,356 |
| 3 | Chehalis | 808 | $40.0M | 26,531 |
| 4 | Seattle | 485 | $7.1M | 994,393 |
| 5 | Sedro Woolley | 416 | $8.5M | 26,970 |
| 6 | Tacoma | 399 | $8.2M | 364,667 |
| 7 | Snohomish | 395 | $6.8M | 66,933 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | 358 | $3.4M | 25,072 |
| 9 | Sumas | 348 | $22.7M | 3,135 |
| 10 | Sultan | 317 | $5.6M | 7,838 |
Understanding Flood Zones
FEMA classifies areas by flood risk:
| Zone | Risk Level | Insurance Required? |
|---|---|---|
| A, AE, AH, AO | High risk (Special Flood Hazard Area) | Yes, with federal mortgage |
| V, VE | High risk, coastal | Yes, with federal mortgage |
| B, X (shaded) | Moderate risk | Recommended |
| C, X (unshaded) | Low risk | Optional |
In the claims dataset, 238 Washington ZIP codes have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone. This historical claims field cannot determine whether a specific property is currently inside a high-risk FEMA flood zone. Check the official FEMA map by address.
Flood Insurance in Washington
Key facts about flood insurance for Washington homeowners:
- Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage - a separate flood policy is required
- The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year depending on flood zone, elevation, and property type
- 30-day waiting period applies to new NFIP policies (except at closing)
- Private flood insurance may offer lower rates in some areas
- 15,837 claims have been filed in Washington; among 12,872 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $28K
How Flooding Affects Water Quality
Flooding poses serious risks to drinking water:
- Treatment plant overflows can allow untreated or partially treated water into distribution systems
- Stormwater runoff introduces pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals
- Sewage system backups contaminate groundwater and surface water sources
- Infrastructure damage can compromise pipes and create entry points for contaminants
After flooding events, monitor your utility's website and local news for boil water advisories.
Flood Damage Prevention
Steps to reduce flood damage to your home:
- Install a sump pump with battery backup
- Elevate utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical panel) above potential flood levels
- Apply waterproof sealant to basement walls and floors
- Maintain gutters and drains to direct water away from foundations
- Consider flood vents in foundation walls
- Check for FEMA mitigation grants - many communities participate in hazard mitigation programs
Data Sources
- Flood claims: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Updated daily.
Wondering about flood risk at your address?
Flood risk varies block by block. Enter your ZIP code to see FEMA flood zone data, claims history, and insurance requirements for your specific area.
Check Flood Insurance Requirements →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington at risk of flooding?
Among 452 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Washington, 53% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. The dataset contains 15,837 claims and $364.5M in reported payment components. It is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
Which city in Washington has the most flood claims?
Snoqualmie has the largest recorded claim count in this state summary, with 1,194 NFIP claims and $23.7M in reported payment components. Claim history is not a current property-level flood designation.
Do I need flood insurance in Washington?
If your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Even outside mapped flood zones, FEMA reports over 40% of claims come from areas not designated as high risk. The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year.
How does flooding affect water quality?
Flooding can contaminate drinking water by overwhelming treatment systems, introducing sewage and runoff into water supplies, and damaging infrastructure. Boil water advisories are common after major floods. Local utility alerts provide information during these events.
How many flood claims have been filed in Washington?
15,837 NFIP flood insurance claims are recorded across Washington. Reported payment components sum to $364.5M; among 12,872 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $28K. 2,965 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.