Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Spokane faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spokane gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #12 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1990.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spokane, and Spokane’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #12 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spokane’s residents live in 72 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 has less expected damage per building than 96% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Spokane has lower expected damage per building than 98% (#8 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $37.4M, is the 313th largest of those 400.
Does Spokane flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spokane, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Spokane 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
Disasters that paid out in Spokane itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Spokane), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.6M to the City of Spokane for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.5M to the City of Spokane for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$1.5M to the City of Spokane 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spokane archive →Spokane and its neighbors
Spokane is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Homes | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Town and Country | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Airway Heights | 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 |
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 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
Is Spokane at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spokane has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #12 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spokane flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Spokane since 1990, $102K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Spokane 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spokane’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?
By FEMA money that reached Spokane, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2020): $2.6M to the City of Spokane for repairs.
Is Spokane at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Spokane’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spokane.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spokane’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.