Photo: User:akampfer · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Rainier’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rainier gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Rainier 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
Earthquakes
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 Rainier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rainier, and Rainier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 40% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rainier’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 Rainier: $744K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rainier flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rainier, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rainier isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rainier
Disasters that paid out in Rainier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rainier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$87K to the City of Rainier for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$19K to the City of Rainier for repairs
Columbia County has had 13 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 Rainier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rainier archive →Get ready for what Rainier 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rainier
Is Rainier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rainier has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (40%). 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 Rainier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rainier since 1997, $2K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rainier 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 Columbia County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rainier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rainier’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 Rainier?
By FEMA money that reached Rainier, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $87K to the City of Rainier for repairs.
Is Rainier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Rainier’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rainier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rainier’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.