Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Washington faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #342 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #342 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has less expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Washington: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $17K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $10K
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: Dutchess County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington
Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$40K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$16K to the Town of Washington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Town of Washington for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$55K to the Town of Washington for repairs
Dutchess County has had 20 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 is 2nd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Vale | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Clinton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Stanford | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Amenia | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pleasant Valley | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
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.
- 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.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #342 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Washington since 2011, $31K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% 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, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $55K to the Town of Washington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Washington’s rate for it is lower than 60% 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.