Photo: Corbin Harder · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Richland faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #48 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1982.
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 Richland 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
Wildfire
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 Richland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richland, and Richland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #48 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richland’s residents live in 14 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, Richland has less expected damage per building than 83% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.2M a year in losses across Richland: $14.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richland flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richland, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver4 claims · $73K
Richland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Richland
Disasters that paid out in Richland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Benton County has had 14 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Benton County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Richland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richland archive →Richland and its neighbors
Richland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| West Richland | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kennewick | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pasco | C−more damage than 77% | 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 Richland 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Richland
Is Richland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #48 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Richland since 1982, $248K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (4).
Is Richland 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 Benton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Richland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richland’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 Richland?
By FEMA money that reached Richland, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 6 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 4 paid, $73K.
Is Richland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Richland’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richland’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.