FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cle Elum than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cle Elum gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (39%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Cle Elum 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
Earthquakes
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 Cle Elum’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cle Elum, and Cle Elum’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 39%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cle Elum’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Cle Elum: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cle Elum flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cle Elum, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $10K
Cle Elum isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kittitas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cle Elum
Disasters that paid out in Cle Elum itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cle Elum), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding135 households applied for aid$333K aid approved$95K to the City of Cle Elum for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$9K to the City of Cle Elum for repairs
Kittitas County has had 17 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kittitas County, 2004–2018.
Old photos of Cle Elum after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cle Elum archive →Cle Elum and its neighbors
Cle Elum has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cle Elum | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Cle Elum | — | 579 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Cle Elum 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Cle Elum
Is Cle Elum at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cle Elum has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cle Elum flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Cle Elum since 1980, $163K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Cle Elum 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 Kittitas County, 2.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cle Elum?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cle Elum’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 Cle Elum?
By FEMA money that reached Cle Elum, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 135 households applied for aid, $333K approved, and $95K to the City of Cle Elum for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Cle Elum at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Cle Elum’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cle Elum.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cle Elum’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.