Photo: Publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Ephrata’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ephrata gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #20 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Ephrata’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ephrata 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
Earthquakes
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 Ephrata’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ephrata, and Ephrata’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #20 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ephrata’s residents live in 4 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, Ephrata has less expected damage per building than 93% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Ephrata: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ephrata flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ephrata, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ephrata is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Grant County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ephrata
Disasters that paid out in Ephrata itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ephrata), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$100K to the City of Ephrata for repairs
Grant County has had 5 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Grant County, 2012–2023.
Old photos of Ephrata after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ephrata archive →Get ready for what Ephrata 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ephrata residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ephrata
Is Ephrata at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ephrata has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #20 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ephrata flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Ephrata since 1979, $9K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ephrata 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 Grant County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ephrata?
Ephrata is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ephrata?
By FEMA money that reached Ephrata, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (2017): $100K to the City of Ephrata for repairs.
Is Ephrata at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Ephrata’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ephrata.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ephrata’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.