Photo: Chetsford · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Connell than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Connell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #169 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then wildfire (13%). 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 Connell 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 Connell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Connell, and Connell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 13%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #169 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Connell’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Connell has more expected damage per building than 59% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Connell: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Connell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Connell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Connell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Connell
Disasters that paid out in Connell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Connell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$197K to the City of Connell for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$2K to the City of Connell for repairs
Franklin County has had 8 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.
Old photos of Connell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Connell archive →Get ready for what Connell 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 Connell
Is Connell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Connell has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #169 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and wildfire (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Connell 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 Franklin County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Connell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Connell’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 Connell?
By FEMA money that reached Connell, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (2017): $197K to the City of Connell for repairs.
Is Connell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Connell’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Connell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Connell’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.