Creswell Historic District · Photo: Gregbarnes at English Wikipedia · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Creswell
Creswell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Creswell has 217 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
What Creswell faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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.
Does Creswell flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Creswell, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $13K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
Creswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Creswell
Disasters that paid out in Creswell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Creswell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$18K to the Town of Creswell for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew65 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$27K to the Town of Creswell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
- 2011Hurricane Irene126 households applied for aid$179K aid approved$2K to the Town of Creswell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds25 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel343 households applied for aid$243K aid approved$14K to the Town of Creswell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$875 to the Town of Creswell for repairs
Washington County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2008–2008.
Old photos of Creswell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Creswell archive →Get ready for what Creswell faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Creswell residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Creswell
Does Creswell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Creswell since 2003, $26K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Creswell 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 Washington County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Creswell?
Creswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Creswell?
By FEMA money that reached Creswell, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 343 households applied for aid, $243K approved, and $14K to the Town of Creswell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $13K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Creswell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Creswell’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.