Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn 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: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #418 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (25%). 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
Earthquakes
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 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #418 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 50% 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 Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has more expected damage per building than 70% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Washington: $2.8M 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: Daviess 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, Flooding, and Tornadoes24 households applied for aid$291K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$95K aid approved
- 2004Snow$9K to the City of Washington for repairs
Daviess County has had 15 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #418 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (25%). 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 Daviess County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 24 households applied for aid, $291K approved.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Washington’s rate for it is lower than 54% 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.