Photo: BrandonHansen18 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Chewelah than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chewelah gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #100 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2000.
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 Chewelah 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.
What’s behind Chewelah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chewelah, and Chewelah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #100 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chewelah’s residents live in 2 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, Chewelah has less expected damage per building than 65% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Chewelah: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chewelah flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chewelah, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chewelah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stevens County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Chewelah
Disasters that paid out in Chewelah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chewelah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$26K to the City of Chewelah for repairs
Stevens County has had 13 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Stevens County, 2006–2026.
Old photos of Chewelah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chewelah archive →Get ready for what Chewelah 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 Chewelah
Is Chewelah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chewelah has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #100 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chewelah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Chewelah since 2000, $5K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chewelah 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 Stevens County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Chewelah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chewelah’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 Chewelah?
By FEMA money that reached Chewelah, Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $26K to the City of Chewelah for repairs.
Is Chewelah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Chewelah’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chewelah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chewelah’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.