On FEMA’s figures, Washington Park faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1994.
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 Park 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
Earthquakes
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 Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington Park, and Washington Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 19% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington Park’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Washington Park: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington Park flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington Park, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding1 claim · $5K
Washington Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington Park
Disasters that paid out in Washington Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Washington Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng8 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding8 households applied for aid$45K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Village of Washington Park for repairs
St. Clair County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Washington Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washington Park archive →Washington Park and its neighbors
Washington Park is 5th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caseyville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Fairmont City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Canteen Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| East St. Louis | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Washington Park | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East St. Louis Township | — | not graded yet | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Washington Park 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Park
Is Washington Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Park has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Washington Park since 1994, $13K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (1).
Is Washington Park 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Washington Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington Park’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 Park?
By FEMA money that reached Washington Park, Severe Storm and Flooding (2022): 8 households applied for aid, $45K approved. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Washington Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Washington Park’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washington Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washington Park’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.