Photo: Williamborg · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dayton than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #266 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1978.
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 Dayton 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
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 Dayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dayton, and Dayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #266 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dayton’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, Dayton has more expected damage per building than 93% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Dayton: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dayton flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton, from FEMA’s records: 23.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dayton
Disasters that paid out in Dayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$249K to the City of Dayton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$550K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Dayton for repairs
Columbia County has had 11 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Columbia County, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Dayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton archive →Get ready for what Dayton 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.
- 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 Dayton
Is Dayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #266 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and wildfire (6%). 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.
Does Dayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Dayton since 1978, $451K in all, or 23.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Dayton 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 Columbia County, 2.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Dayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton’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 Dayton?
By FEMA money that reached Dayton, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (2017): $550K to the City of Dayton for repairs.
Is Dayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Dayton’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton’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.