Photo: Oldhippy1947 at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Woodland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #241 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 51 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 Woodland 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 Woodland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodland, and Woodland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 42% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #241 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodland’s residents live in 3 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, Woodland has more expected damage per building than 85% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Woodland: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodland flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodland, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $6K
Woodland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cowlitz County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodland
Disasters that paid out in Woodland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$5K to the City of Woodland for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$3K to the City of Woodland for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$756 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Cowlitz County has had 20 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.
Old photos of Woodland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodland archive →Get ready for what Woodland 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 Woodland
Is Woodland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodland has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #241 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Woodland since 1982, $961K in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Woodland 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 Cowlitz County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodland’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 Woodland?
By FEMA money that reached Woodland, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 5 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $5K to the City of Woodland for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Woodland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Woodland’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodland’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.