Photo: Iop90cwl · CC BY-SA 4.0West Richland’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Richland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #67 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then wildfire (18%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 West Richland 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
Wildfire
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 West Richland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Richland, and West Richland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #67 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Richland’s residents live in 6 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, West Richland has less expected damage per building than 77% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across West Richland: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Richland flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Richland, 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.
West Richland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Richland
Disasters that paid out in West Richland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Richland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$19K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of West Richland for repairs
Benton County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Benton County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of West Richland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Richland archive →West Richland and its neighbors
West Richland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| West Richland | C+more damage than 59% | 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 West Richland 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 West Richland
Is West Richland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Richland has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #67 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and wildfire (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Richland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in West Richland since 1990, $207K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is West Richland 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 Benton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Richland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Richland’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 West Richland?
By FEMA money that reached West Richland, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 17 households applied for aid, $19K approved.
Is West Richland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and West Richland’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Richland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Richland’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.