Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Chelan than in 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chelan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #249 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then wildfire (46%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Chelan 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
Wildfire
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 Chelan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chelan, and Chelan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 46%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #249 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chelan’s residents live in 3 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, Chelan has more expected damage per building than 87% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Chelan: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chelan flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Chelan. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Chelan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chelan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chelan
Disasters that paid out in Chelan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chelan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$790 aid approved$15K to the City of Chelan for repairs
- 2015Wildfires and Mudslides$80K to the City of Chelan for repairs
Chelan County has had 19 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.
Also 30 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Chelan County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Chelan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chelan archive →Get ready for what Chelan 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Chelan
Is Chelan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chelan has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #249 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and wildfire (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Chelan 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 Chelan County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Chelan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chelan’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 Chelan?
By FEMA money that reached Chelan, Wildfires and Mudslides (2015): $80K to the City of Chelan for repairs.
Is Chelan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Chelan’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chelan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chelan’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.