Photo: Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kelso faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kelso gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #268 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1980.
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 Kelso’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kelso 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
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 Kelso’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kelso, and Kelso’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 22% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
D #268 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kelso’s residents live in 7 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, Kelso has more expected damage per building than 94% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Kelso: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kelso flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kelso, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $6K
Kelso isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cowlitz County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kelso
Disasters that paid out in Kelso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kelso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.2M to the City of Kelso for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding147 households applied for aid$491K aid approved$64K to the City of Kelso for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Kelso for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides39 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$5K to the City of Kelso for repairs
Cowlitz County has had 20 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 Kelso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kelso archive →Kelso and its neighbors
Kelso 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | C−more damage than 85% | earthquakes | 22 |
| Kelso | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
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 Kelso 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.
- 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 Kelso
Is Kelso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kelso has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #268 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kelso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Kelso since 1980, $938K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Kelso 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 Cowlitz County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kelso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kelso’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 Kelso?
By FEMA money that reached Kelso, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $1.2M to the City of Kelso for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Kelso at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Kelso’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kelso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kelso’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.