Photo: Locke Cole · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Spokane Valley than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spokane Valley gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #10 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spokane Valley, and Spokane Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #10 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spokane Valley’s residents live in 28 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, Spokane Valley has less expected damage per building than 97% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Spokane Valley has lower expected damage per building than 99% (#4 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $16.2M, is the 394th largest of those 400.
Does Spokane Valley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spokane Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Spokane Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Spokane County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spokane Valley
Disasters that paid out in Spokane Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Spokane Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$34K to the City of Spokane Valley for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$208K to the City of Spokane Valley for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$79K to the City of Spokane Valley for repairs
Spokane County has had 17 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 13 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Spokane County, 2008–2026.
Old photos of Spokane Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spokane Valley archive →Spokane Valley and its neighbors
Spokane Valley is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millwood | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Spokane Valley | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Spokane | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Liberty Lake | Aless damage than 87% | 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 Spokane Valley 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 Spokane Valley
Is Spokane Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spokane Valley has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #10 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spokane Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Spokane Valley since 2016, $9K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Spokane Valley 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 Spokane County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spokane Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spokane Valley’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 Spokane Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Spokane Valley, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $208K to the City of Spokane Valley for repairs.
Is Spokane Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Spokane Valley’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spokane Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spokane Valley’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.