Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Raymond faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raymond gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #276 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1981.
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 Raymond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Raymond 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
Coastal 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 Raymond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raymond, and Raymond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 36%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #276 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raymond’s residents live in 3 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, Raymond has more expected damage per building than 97% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Raymond: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raymond flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raymond, from FEMA’s records: 23.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $29K
Raymond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pacific County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raymond
Disasters that paid out in Raymond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raymond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$120K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides436 households applied for aid$225K aid approved$46K to the City of Raymond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Raymond for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$34K to the City of Raymond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Pacific 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.
Old photos of Raymond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raymond archive →Raymond and its neighbors
Raymond is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 28 |
| Raymond | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
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 Raymond 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Raymond
Is Raymond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raymond has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #276 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raymond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Raymond since 1981, $377K in all, or 23.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Raymond 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 Pacific County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raymond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raymond’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 Raymond?
By FEMA money that reached Raymond, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 436 households applied for aid, $225K approved, and $46K to the City of Raymond for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Raymond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Raymond’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raymond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raymond’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.