On FEMA’s figures, Castle Rock faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castle Rock gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1980.
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 Castle Rock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Castle Rock 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
Volcanic activity
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 Castle Rock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Castle Rock, and Castle Rock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Castle Rock’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Castle Rock: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Castle Rock flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Castle Rock, from FEMA’s records: 22.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mt. St. Helens Eruption12 claims · $366K
Castle Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cowlitz County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Castle Rock
Disasters that paid out in Castle Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Castle Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$13K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T$34K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$87K aid approved$41K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides36 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$17K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs
Cowlitz County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Castle Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Castle Rock archive →Get ready for what Castle Rock 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.
- Keep N95 masks and goggles for ash.
- Know the evacuation routes.
- Keep ash out of the house and car vents.
- 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 Castle Rock
Is Castle Rock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castle Rock has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Castle Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Castle Rock since 1980, $485K in all, or 22.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mt. St. Helens Eruption (12).
Is Castle Rock 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 Cowlitz County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Castle Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Castle Rock’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 Castle Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Castle Rock, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 36 households applied for aid, $163K approved, and $17K to the City of Castle Rock for repairs. By flood claims, Mt. St. Helens Eruption: 12 paid, $366K.
Is Castle Rock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Castle Rock’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Castle Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Castle Rock’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.