Neil Cooney Mansion · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Cosmopolis, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cosmopolis gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (41%), then coastal flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1986.
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 Cosmopolis faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Tsunamis
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 Cosmopolis’ grade
Earthquakes are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cosmopolis, and Cosmopolis’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cosmopolis’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Cosmopolis: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cosmopolis flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cosmopolis, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cosmopolis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grays Harbor County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cosmopolis
Disasters that paid out in Cosmopolis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cosmopolis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$276K aid approved$14K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides141 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$42K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$820 aid approved$15K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$28K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs
Grays Harbor County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cosmopolis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cosmopolis archive →Cosmopolis and its neighbors
Cosmopolis is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 240 |
| Cosmopolis | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Cosmopolis faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Cosmopolis
Is Cosmopolis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cosmopolis has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (41%) and coastal flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cosmopolis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Cosmopolis since 1986, $24K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cosmopolis 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 Grays Harbor County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cosmopolis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cosmopolis’ 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 Cosmopolis?
By FEMA money that reached Cosmopolis, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 24 households applied for aid, $276K approved, and $14K to the City of Cosmopolis for repairs.
Is Cosmopolis at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Cosmopolis’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cosmopolis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cosmopolis’ 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.