Photo: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chehalis than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chehalis gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #244 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 477 claims here since 1981.
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 Chehalis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chehalis 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 Chehalis’ grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chehalis, and Chehalis’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
D #244 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chehalis’ residents live in 4 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, Chehalis has more expected damage per building than 86% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Chehalis: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chehalis flood? Yes: 477 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chehalis, from FEMA’s records: 157.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm163 claims · $15.4M
- The Torrential rain12 claims · $539K
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver4 claims · $215K
Chehalis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chehalis
Disasters that paid out in Chehalis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chehalis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$552K to the City of Chehalis for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$39K to the City of Chehalis for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$6K to the City of Chehalis for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding103 households applied for aid$242K aid approved$97K to the City of Chehalis for repairs68 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$10K to the City of Chehalis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides772 households applied for aid$6.0M aid approved$537K to the City of Chehalis for repairs162 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Chehalis for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$32K to the City of Chehalis for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$32K to the City of Chehalis for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Chehalis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chehalis archive →Chehalis and its neighbors
Chehalis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Chehalis 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.
- Chehalis residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chehalis
Is Chehalis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chehalis has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #244 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chehalis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 477 claims in Chehalis since 1981, $31.1M in all, or 157.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 61 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (163).
Is Chehalis 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 Chehalis?
Chehalis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Chehalis?
By FEMA money that reached Chehalis, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 772 households applied for aid, $6.0M approved, and $537K to the City of Chehalis for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 163 paid, $15.4M.
Is Chehalis at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Chehalis’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chehalis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chehalis’ 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.