Photo: ECTran71 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Moses Lake than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moses Lake gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #9 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then earthquakes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moses Lake, and Moses Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #9 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moses Lake’s residents live in 10 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, Moses Lake has less expected damage per building than 97% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Moses Lake: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moses Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Moses Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Moses Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Moses Lake
Disasters that paid out in Moses Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moses Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$233K to the City of Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moses Lake archive →Moses Lake and its neighbors
Moses Lake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake North | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Moses Lake | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Cascade Valley | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
Is Moses Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moses Lake has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moses Lake’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 Moses Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Moses Lake, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (2017): $233K to the City of Moses Lake for repairs.
Is Moses Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Moses Lake’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moses Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moses Lake’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.