North Market Street Historic District · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Washington’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #251 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1,176 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Washington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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.
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.
What’s behind Washington’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 11% (lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #251 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% 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 North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has more expected damage per building than 87% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Washington: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? Yes: 1,176 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records: 223.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis197 claims · $3.9M
- Hurricane Florence181 claims · $5.3M
- Hurricane Irene149 claims · $1.9M
Washington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Beaufort County.10 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.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$161K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$324K to the City of Washington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence640 households applied for aid$456K aid approved$882K to the City of Washington for repairs181 flood claims paid for it, $5.3M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew452 households applied for aid$461K aid approved$185K to the City of Washington for repairs58 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,137 households applied for aid$874K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Washington for repairs149 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds242 households applied for aid$381K aid approved53 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$91K to the City of Washington for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel482 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$283K to the City of Washington for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$642K to the City of Washington for repairs123 flood claims paid for it, $961K
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$56K to the City of Washington for repairs197 flood claims paid for it, $3.9M
Beaufort County has had 23 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.
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.
- 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.
- Washington residents get 15% off flood insurance.
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 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #251 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,176 claims in Washington since 1982, $18.7M in all, or 223.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 204 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (197).
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 Beaufort County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Washington?
Washington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Washington?
By FEMA money that reached Washington, Hurricane Irene (2011): 1,137 households applied for aid, $874K approved, and $1.4M to the City of Washington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 197 paid, $3.9M.
Is Washington at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Washington’s rate for it is in the top 1% 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.