Photo: Metayel · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Damascus
Damascus isn’t graded for hazard risk: Damascus has 772 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1980.
What Damascus 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.
Does Damascus flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Damascus, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Helene3 claims · $406K
Damascus 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 Damascus
Disasters that paid out in Damascus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Damascus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene495 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$609K to the Town of Damascus for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $406K
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Damascus for repairs
Washington County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Damascus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Damascus archive →Get ready for what Damascus 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 Damascus
Does Damascus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Damascus since 1980, $417K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (3).
Is Damascus 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, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Damascus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Damascus’ 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 Damascus?
By FEMA money that reached Damascus, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 495 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $609K to the Town of Damascus for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 3 paid, $406K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Damascus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Damascus’ 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.