Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Pe Ell
Pe Ell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pe Ell has 538 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
What Pe Ell 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.
Does Pe Ell flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pe Ell, from FEMA’s records.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $38K
Pe Ell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pe Ell
Disasters that paid out in Pe Ell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pe Ell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T$55K to the Town of Pe Ell for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the Town of Pe Ell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides52 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Pe Ell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$7K to the Town of Pe Ell for repairs
Lewis County has had 33 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 Pe Ell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pe Ell archive →Get ready for what Pe Ell 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 Pe Ell
Does Pe Ell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pe Ell since 2007, $38K in all. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Pe Ell 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 Lewis County, 2.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pe Ell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pe Ell’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 Pe Ell?
By FEMA money that reached Pe Ell, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 52 households applied for aid, $124K approved, and $1.1M to the Town of Pe Ell for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $38K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pe Ell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pe Ell’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.