Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Washington faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #254 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1980.
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
Tornadoes
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 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #254 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has less expected damage per building than 67% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Washington: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $9K
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: Tazewell County.6 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.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1,287 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$3K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2006Snow$16K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$17K to the City of Washington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Tazewell County has had 12 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washington archive →Washington and its neighbors
Washington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Peoria | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
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 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.
- 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.
- 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 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #254 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Washington since 1980, $51K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% 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 Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2013): 1,287 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Washington’s rate for it is higher than 53% 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.