Natural Disasters in Washington, DC

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

97.6

Relatively High

Expected Annual Loss

97.6

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

40.9

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

93.3

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Heat Wave99.2Earthquake98.3Strong Wind98.2

Hazard	Risk Score
Heat Wave	99.2
Earthquake	98.3
Strong Wind	98.2
Hail	97.0
Winter Weather	96.8
Lightning	96.6
Hurricane	96.0
Cold Wave	94.1
Tornado	90.4
Landslide	80.9
Coastal Flood	74.0
Ice Storm	70.2
Wildfire	26.2

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Other

Feb 2026

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

8 declarations

Date	Type	Declaration
Feb 20, 2026	Other	SEWER LINE COLLAPSE
Jan 11, 2021	Other	59TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Mar 29, 2020	Biological	COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020	Biological	COVID-19
Mar 4, 2016	Snowstorm	SNOWSTORM
Dec 5, 2012	Hurricane	HURRICANE SANDY
Oct 28, 2012	Hurricane	HURRICANE SANDY
Jul 31, 2012	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS
Nov 8, 2011	Earthquake	EARTHQUAKE
Sep 28, 2011	Hurricane	HURRICANE IRENE
Aug 28, 2011	Hurricane	HURRICANE IRENE
Mar 24, 2010	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS
Mar 3, 2010	Snowstorm	SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM
Jan 13, 2009	Other	56TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Sep 7, 2005	Hurricane	HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Sep 20, 2003	Hurricane	HURRICANE ISABEL
Mar 14, 2003	Severe Storm	SNOW
Aug 16, 2001	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING AND MUDSLIDES
Aug 17, 2000	Severe Storm	SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
Apr 10, 2000	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM

Showing 20 of 23 declarations

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

6,904

Total IA Distributed

$19,691,944

Repair/Replace

$1,452,928

Rental Assistance

$1,306,847

Disaster	Registrations	Total IA $	Avg Damage
DR-1858	1	N/A	—
DR-1603	1	N/A	—
DR-4481	2	N/A	—
DR-4794	1	N/A	$6,658
DR-4502	1,181	$6,218,361	—
DR-4491	928	$5,224,543	—
DR-4512	840	$4,699,374	—
DR-1491	871	$1,353,682	$2,434
DR-1492	1,417	$1,223,045	$1,440
DR-1493	1,623	$950,368	$615

Showing top 10 of 15 disasters by IA amount

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

492

Total Claims Paid

$5,536,285

Avg Claim Payout

$11,253

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

Federal Funding

$8,919,994

Properties Protected

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

1.06

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project Type	Projects	Federal $
403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts	7	$207,110
100.1: Public Awareness and Education (Brochures, Workshops, Videos, etc.)	6	$62,129
92.1: State Multihazard Mitigation Plan	4	$714,022
601.2: Generators - Regular	3	$55,378
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan	2	$160,063

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Washington has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are heat wave, earthquake, strong wind. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (8 declarations). 492 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $19,691,944 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 40 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.