Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ellensburg faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellensburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #160 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (46%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Ellensburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ellensburg faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Ellensburg’s grade
Earthquakes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellensburg, and Ellensburg’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #160 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellensburg’s residents live in 6 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, Ellensburg has more expected damage per building than 56% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.4M a year in losses across Ellensburg: $9.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellensburg flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellensburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ellensburg 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellensburg
Disasters that paid out in Ellensburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellensburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Ellensburg for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$46K to the City of Ellensburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$294K aid approved$86K to the City of Ellensburg for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
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 Ellensburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellensburg archive →Get ready for what Ellensburg 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.
- 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 Ellensburg
Is Ellensburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellensburg has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #160 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (46%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellensburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Ellensburg since 1982, $202K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellensburg’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 Ellensburg?
By FEMA money that reached Ellensburg, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 110 households applied for aid, $294K approved, and $86K to the City of Ellensburg for repairs.
Is Ellensburg at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Ellensburg’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellensburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellensburg’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.