Natural Disaster Risk in Edmonds

Natural Hazard Profile: Edmonds, Washington

Edmonds, in Snohomish County, is a city of approximately 38,976 residents situated in the Pacific Northwest. Its oceanic climate brings mild, rainy winters west of the Cascades and semi-arid conditions to the east, and in particular a critical wildfire period in eastern Washington each summer. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Edmonds residents and property owners must navigate.

Edmonds's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.3/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include volcano and earthquake.

Within Washington, Edmonds's risk is, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Snohomish County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by volcano and earthquake. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

Edmonds's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.