Photo: J.B. Chandler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Chinook’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chinook gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2002.
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 Chinook 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
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 Chinook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chinook, and Chinook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chinook’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Chinook: $901K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chinook flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chinook, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chinook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blaine County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Chinook
Disasters that paid out in Chinook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chinook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Blaine County has had 10 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 Chinook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chinook archive →Get ready for what Chinook 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.
- 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 Chinook
Is Chinook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chinook has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chinook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Chinook since 2002, $2K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chinook 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 Blaine County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chinook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chinook’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 Chinook?
By FEMA money that reached Chinook, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 15 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Chinook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Chinook’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chinook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chinook’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.