Photo: Jared Adams · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Washougal faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washougal gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #223 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Washougal 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 Washougal’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washougal, and Washougal’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D #223 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washougal’s residents live in 7 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, Washougal has more expected damage per building than 78% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Washougal: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washougal flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washougal, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $54K
Washougal 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washougal
Disasters that paid out in Washougal itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Washougal), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Washougal for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$46K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
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 Washougal after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washougal archive →Washougal and its neighbors
Washougal is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camas | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Washougal | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Washougal 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 Washougal
Is Washougal at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washougal has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #223 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washougal flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Washougal since 1982, $78K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (4).
Is Washougal 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 Washougal?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washougal’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 Washougal?
By FEMA money that reached Washougal, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 14 households applied for aid, $46K approved. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 4 paid, $54K.
Is Washougal at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Washougal’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washougal.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washougal’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.