Photo: Sam Beebe · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Weiser’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weiser gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #43 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then wildfire (38%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 Weiser 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
Wildfire
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 Weiser’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weiser, and Weiser’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 38%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #43 of 59 in Idaho; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weiser’s residents live in 2 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, Weiser has more expected damage per building than 72% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Weiser: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weiser flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weiser, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Weiser 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.The storms Weiser remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Weiser itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20173 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Washington County
- 19821 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19971 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Washington County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Weiser after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weiser archive →Get ready for what Weiser 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Weiser
Is Weiser at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weiser has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #43 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and wildfire (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Weiser flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Weiser since 1982, $149K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Weiser 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, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Weiser?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weiser’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Weiser at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Weiser’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weiser.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weiser’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.