Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Washington
Washington isn’t graded for hazard risk: Washington has 564 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
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
Hurricanes
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.
Does Washington flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-summer severe storms3 claims · $163K
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: St. Landry Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington
Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur20 households applied for aid$90K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida3 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta83 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$36K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura39 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$13K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding175 households applied for aid$467K aid approved$106K to the Town of Washington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Washington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$7K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav481 households applied for aid$344K aid approved$237K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita422 households applied for aid$442K aid approved$19K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$13K to the Town of Washington for repairs
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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
Does Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Washington since 1979, $214K in all. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (3).
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 St. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% 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, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 481 households applied for aid, $344K approved, and $237K to the Town of Washington for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 3 paid, $163K.
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.