Photo: Ua747sp · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Washburn’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washburn gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (16%). 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 Washburn 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Washburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washburn, and Washburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Washburn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Washburn: $963K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washburn flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Washburn. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Washburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Washburn
Disasters that paid out in Washburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Washburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
McLean County has had 22 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 Washburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washburn archive →Get ready for what Washburn 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Washburn
Is Washburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washburn has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (16%). 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.
Is Washburn 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 McLean County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Washburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washburn’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 Washburn?
By FEMA money that reached Washburn, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 5 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Washburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Washburn’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washburn’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.