Photo: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Washington than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #28 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Washington 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Washington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #28 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has less expected damage per building than 81% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Washington: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Washington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Washington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington
Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$38K to the City of Washington for repairs
Washington County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Washington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washington archive →Get ready for what Washington 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Washington
Is Washington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #28 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Washington 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 Washington County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Washington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Washington?
By FEMA money that reached Washington, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $38K to the City of Washington for repairs.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Washington’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washington’s 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.