Photo: Kingofthedead · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Bonneville faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bonneville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 North Bonneville 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 North Bonneville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bonneville, and North Bonneville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Bonneville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across North Bonneville: $803K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bonneville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in North Bonneville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
North Bonneville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Skamania County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Bonneville
Disasters that paid out in North Bonneville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Bonneville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$20K to the City of North Bonneville for repairs
Skamania County has had 23 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Skamania County, 2007–2023.
Old photos of North Bonneville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bonneville archive →Get ready for what North Bonneville 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 North Bonneville
Is North Bonneville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bonneville has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and earthquakes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is North Bonneville 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 Skamania County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Bonneville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Bonneville’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 North Bonneville?
By FEMA money that reached North Bonneville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): $20K to the City of North Bonneville for repairs.
Is North Bonneville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and North Bonneville’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bonneville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bonneville’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.