Flood insurance in Whatcom County, Washington
How many buildings are insured against floods, what policies cost, and how much FEMA's flood insurance program has paid out, from official NFIP records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in Whatcom County, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2021, with $22.5 million paid on 329 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 54% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in Whatcom County
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver | 2025 | 296 | $21.6 million |
| Flooding | 1990 | 131 | $1.9 million |
| Flooding | 1979 | 12 | $96 thousand |
| Flooding | 1995 | 5 | $91 thousand |
| Torrential rain | 2006 | 11 | $84 thousand |
Flood insurance by ZIP code
ZIP codes in Whatcom County with at least 50 policies
| ZIP | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98230 | 694 | $711 | 45 | $783 thousand |
| 98248 | 355 | $578 | 166 | $4.7 million |
| 98247 | 310 | $1,061 | 294 | $11.7 million |
| 98295 | 291 | $1,769 | 348 | $23.3 million |
| 98226 | 98 | $735 | 72 | $2.0 million |
| 98281 | 92 | $529 | 25 | $418 thousand |
| 98276 | 90 | $1,251 | 70 | $5.8 million |
| 98229 | 90 | $1,003 | 24 | $1.6 million |
| 98264 | 79 | $998 | 49 | $1.4 million |
| 98244 | 67 | $1,231 | 29 | $398 thousand |
| 98225 | 52 | $1,354 | 24 | $462 thousand |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Whatcom County?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Whatcom County costs about $998 a year. The Washington average is $1,129. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.
How many homes have flood insurance in Whatcom County?
There are about 2,248 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Whatcom County, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does Whatcom County flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Whatcom County have filed 1,211 flood claims, with $53.1 million paid out. 691 of those claims were in the last 10 years.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.
How long until a new flood policy starts?
NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.
How to get flood insurance
Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.