Moscow Downtown Historic District · Photo: Candy29c · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Moscow faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moscow gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #6 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1996.
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 stands out about Moscow’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moscow 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
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 Moscow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moscow, and Moscow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #6 of 59 in Idaho; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moscow’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Idaho town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Moscow has less expected damage per building than 91% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Moscow: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moscow flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moscow, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Moscow is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Latah County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moscow
Disasters that paid out in Moscow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moscow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$92K to the City of Moscow for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Moscow for repairs
Latah County has had 11 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Latah County, 2024–2024.
Old photos of Moscow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moscow archive →Get ready for what Moscow 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.
- 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.
- Moscow residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Moscow
Is Moscow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moscow has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #6 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moscow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Moscow since 1996, $591K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Moscow 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 Latah County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Moscow?
Moscow is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Moscow?
By FEMA money that reached Moscow, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $92K to the City of Moscow for repairs.
Is Moscow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Moscow’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moscow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moscow’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.