Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pender than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pender gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then wildfire (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Pender 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Pender’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pender, and Pender’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pender’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Pender: $467K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pender flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pender, from FEMA’s records: 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pender
Disasters that paid out in Pender itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pender), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$101K to the Village of Pender for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$63K to the Village of Pender for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$4K to the Village of Pender for repairs
Thurston County has had 20 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 Pender after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pender archive →Get ready for what Pender 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Pender
Is Pender at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pender has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and wildfire (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.
Does Pender flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Pender since 1982, $510K in all, or 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pender 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.
How much is flood insurance in Pender?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pender’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 Pender?
By FEMA money that reached Pender, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 38 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $101K to the Village of Pender for repairs.
Is Pender at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Pender’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pender.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pender’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.