Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Washington than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #244 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 115 claims here since 1978.
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
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 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington, and Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A #244 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Washington has less expected damage per building than 77% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Washington: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington flood? Yes: 115 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan11 claims · $376K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $2K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $280K
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: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington
Disasters that paid out in Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan321 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $376K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances13 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Washington County has had 11 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 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 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Strabane Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Washington | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Franklin Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Washington | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Canton Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #244 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 115 claims in Washington since 1978, $5.0M in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (11).
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 Washington County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% 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, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 321 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 11 paid, $376K.
Is Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Washington’s rate for it is lower than 62% 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.