Enter any address in King County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and coastal flooding are the dominant flood characters in King County. Recent events include coastal flooding driven by King Tides and strong winds on December 27, 2022, and widespread flooding from atmospheric rivers and heavy rain from January 10-16, 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, which typically has a higher risk of flooding. These claims averaged over $20,000 with water depths around 7 feet. Zone X and X_UNSHADED also experienced claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in coastal areas, those near rivers, and properties in zones without a Base Flood Elevation should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
King County, Washington has recorded 9 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 34 federal disaster declarations, 17 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 9, 2025 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2024 |
| Bolt Creek Fire | Fire | Sep 10, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides | Flood | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 14, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 11, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, And Flooding | Flood | Jan 6, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Dec 27, 2022 | — |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2021 | 474.00K |
| Flood | Jan 16, 2011 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Dec 12, 2010 | 3.00M |
| Flood | Jan 7, 2009 | 14.00M |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2008 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 14, 2006 | 750.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Nov 4, 2006 | 11.10M |
| Flood | Sep 3, 1996 | — |
Coastal Flood — Dec 27, 2022
Coastal flooding between 8 AM - 11 AM high tide cycle on 12/27. The event was a result of King Tides, coinciding with significantly strong low pressure in the area and strong winds. Wind gusts of up to 64 MPH occurred in the event as well as observed tidal conditions 1-2 feet above the HAT.
Flood — Jan 12, 2021
The period from January 10 to 16 continued a pattern of a strong and persistent Aleutian Low pressure system in the eastern Pacific that began December 29, 2020 and which directed the jet stream and primary storm track at Washington State. This resulted in a series of atmospheric rivers and wind storms that battered Washington State. Water vapor transport into Washington State averaged 160-200...
Flood — Jan 16, 2011
A 66 year old state DOT worker was killed when a tree fell on Highway 203 south of Carnation, hitting him and his truck. Several mudslides blocked roads.
Flood — Dec 12, 2010
The Stillaguamish River reached record level. There were several roads washed out in Kitsap county. 2 homes were damaged from mudslides.
Flood — Jan 7, 2009
Rainfall of 8-20 inches in the mountains and 1 to 9 inches in the lowlands occurred from Jan 6th through 8th. Flooding was widespread over much of Western Washington. Record flooding occurred on the Snoqualmie, Tolt, and North Fork Stillaguamish Rivers. Near record flooding occurred on the Snohomish, Newaukum, and Skookumchuck Rivers. Major flooding occurred on 18 rivers and 21 forecast po...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in King County, Washington:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in King County, Washington that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.