Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Montesano than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montesano gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #263 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (49%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1994.
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 Montesano 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 Montesano’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montesano, and Montesano’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 49% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #263 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montesano’s residents live in 2 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, Montesano has more expected damage per building than 92% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Montesano: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montesano flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montesano, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $9K
Montesano isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grays Harbor County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montesano
Disasters that paid out in Montesano itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montesano), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$17K to the City of Montesano for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T$31K to the City of Montesano for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Montesano for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$66K to the City of Montesano for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Montesano for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides351 households applied for aid$194K aid approved$140K to the City of Montesano for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Montesano for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$550 aid approved
Grays Harbor County has had 30 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 Montesano after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montesano archive →Montesano and its neighbors
Montesano has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montesano | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Brady | — | 832 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Montesano 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 Montesano
Is Montesano at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montesano has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #263 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montesano flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Montesano since 1994, $144K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Montesano 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 Grays Harbor County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montesano?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montesano’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 Montesano?
By FEMA money that reached Montesano, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 351 households applied for aid, $194K approved, and $140K to the City of Montesano for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Montesano at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Montesano’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montesano.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montesano’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.