Photo: khiara jones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Longview faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longview gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #206 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (70%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Longview’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Longview 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
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 Longview’s grade
Earthquakes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Longview, and Longview’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #206 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Longview’s residents live in 14 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, Longview has more expected damage per building than 72% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.6M a year in losses across Longview: $23.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Longview flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Longview, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $2K
- The Mt. St. Helens Eruption1 claim · $4K
Longview 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Longview
Disasters that paid out in Longview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Longview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$1.3M to the City of Longview for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding113 households applied for aid$189K aid approved$97K to the City of Longview for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$38K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$359K to the City of Longview for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Longview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Longview archive →Longview and its neighbors
Longview is 2nd of the 3 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 Heights | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Longview 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.
- 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 Longview
Is Longview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longview has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #206 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (70%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Longview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Longview since 1980, $766K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Longview 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 Longview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Longview’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 Longview?
By FEMA money that reached Longview, Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding (2021): $1.3M to the City of Longview for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Longview at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Longview’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Longview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Longview’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.