Photo: Crispin Stichart · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Colville than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #11 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Colville 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 Colville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colville, and Colville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #11 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colville’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, Colville has less expected damage per building than 96% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Colville: $779K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Colville 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 Colville
Disasters that paid out in Colville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Colville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$51K to the City of Colville 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 Colville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colville archive →Get ready for what Colville 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 Colville
Is Colville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colville has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #11 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Colville since 2007, $13K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Colville 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 Colville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colville’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 Colville?
By FEMA money that reached Colville, Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $51K to the City of Colville for repairs.
Is Colville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Colville’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colville’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.