Photo: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Centralia than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centralia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #271 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 698 claims here since 1986.
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 Centralia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Centralia faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Centralia’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centralia, and Centralia’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #271 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centralia’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Centralia has more expected damage per building than 95% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.1M a year in losses across Centralia: $12.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centralia flood? Yes: 698 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centralia, from FEMA’s records: 86.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm233 claims · $14.4M
Centralia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centralia
Disasters that paid out in Centralia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centralia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$211K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$622K to the City of Centralia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$98K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$222K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$155K to the City of Centralia for repairs51 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$7K to the City of Centralia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,086 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$482K to the City of Centralia for repairs234 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$80K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$125K to the City of Centralia for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$60K to the City of Centralia for repairs
Lewis County has had 33 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 Centralia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centralia archive →Centralia and its neighbors
Centralia is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fords Prairie | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Chehalis | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 477 |
| Centralia | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 698 |
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 Centralia faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Centralia residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Centralia
Is Centralia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centralia has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #271 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centralia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 698 claims in Centralia since 1986, $26.7M in all, or 86.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 48 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (233).
Is Centralia 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 Lewis County, 2.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Centralia?
Centralia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Centralia?
By FEMA money that reached Centralia, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 1,086 households applied for aid, $5.3M approved, and $482K to the City of Centralia for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 233 paid, $14.4M.
Is Centralia at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Centralia’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centralia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centralia’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.