Photo: Jeff Silverstein / Jeffsilverstein at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Ridgefield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgefield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #54 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (45%). 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 Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ridgefield, and Ridgefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 45% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #54 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ridgefield’s residents live in 5 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, Ridgefield has less expected damage per building than 81% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Ridgefield: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ridgefield flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ridgefield. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ridgefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ridgefield
Disasters that paid out in Ridgefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ridgefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Clark County has had 13 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clark County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Ridgefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ridgefield archive →Get ready for what Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield
Is Ridgefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgefield has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #54 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ridgefield 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 Clark County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ridgefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ridgefield’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 Ridgefield?
By FEMA money that reached Ridgefield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 2 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Ridgefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Ridgefield’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ridgefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ridgefield’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.