Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Washington than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #307 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1989.
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 Washington 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 Washington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #307 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Washington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has more expected damage per building than 66% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Washington: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaias3 claims · $70K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $781
Washington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington
Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida109 households applied for aid$217K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy192 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene119 households applied for aid$241K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $781
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Warren County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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 →Washington and its neighbors
Washington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Brass Castle | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
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.
- 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 Washington
Is Washington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #307 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Washington since 1989, $148K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaias (3).
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 Warren County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Washington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington’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 Washington?
By FEMA money that reached Washington, Hurricane Irene (2011): 119 households applied for aid, $241K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaias: 3 paid, $70K.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Washington’s rate for it is higher than 81% 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.