Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Vancouver than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vancouver gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #33 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1986.
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 Vancouver faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain 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 Vancouver’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vancouver, and Vancouver’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B #33 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vancouver’s residents live in 60 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, Vancouver has less expected damage per building than 89% of Washington towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Vancouver has lower expected damage per building than 75% (#99 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $60.0M, is the 206th largest of those 400.
Does Vancouver flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vancouver, 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.
Vancouver 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vancouver
Disasters that paid out in Vancouver itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vancouver), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$20K to the City of Vancouver for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$46K to the City of Vancouver for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$3K 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 Vancouver after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vancouver archive →Vancouver and its neighbors
Vancouver is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchards | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Minnehaha | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vancouver | Bless damage than 63% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Lake Shore | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Camas | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hazel Dell | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Five Corners | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Portland | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 167 |
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 Vancouver faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Vancouver
Is Vancouver at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vancouver has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #33 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vancouver flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Vancouver since 1986, $110K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Vancouver 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 Vancouver?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vancouver’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 Vancouver?
By FEMA money that reached Vancouver, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $46K to the City of Vancouver for repairs.
Is Vancouver at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Vancouver’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vancouver.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vancouver’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.