Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kennewick than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennewick gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #75 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then earthquakes (14%). 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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kennewick, and Kennewick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #75 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kennewick’s residents live in 17 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, Kennewick has less expected damage per building than 74% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.3M a year in losses across Kennewick: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kennewick flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kennewick, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $7K
Kennewick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kennewick
Disasters that paid out in Kennewick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kennewick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$1.2M to the City of Kennewick for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$37K to the City of Kennewick for repairs
Benton County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Benton County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Kennewick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kennewick archive →Kennewick and its neighbors
Kennewick is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Kennewick 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kennewick
Is Kennewick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennewick has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #75 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kennewick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Kennewick since 1979, $7K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Kennewick 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 Benton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kennewick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kennewick’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 Kennewick?
By FEMA money that reached Kennewick, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (2017): $1.2M to the City of Kennewick for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Kennewick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Kennewick’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kennewick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kennewick’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.