Natural Disasters in Benton City, WA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

87.1

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

87.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

30.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

58.6

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Wildfire96.7Heat Wave94.4Earthquake93.1
HazardRisk Score
Wildfire96.7
Heat Wave94.4
Earthquake93.1
Winter Weather92.0
Ice Storm89.3
Cold Wave82.4
Volcanic Activity81.1
Landslide77.5
Lightning63.0
Hail52.3
Strong Wind46.4
Avalanche33.8
Drought28.1
Tornado19.6

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

20

Most Recent

Flood

Dec 2025

Most Common Type

Flood

9 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Dec 12, 2025FloodSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Mar 22, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Apr 21, 2017FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES
Aug 1, 2016FireSOUTH WARD GAP FIRE
Aug 22, 2009FireDRY CREEK FIRE COMPLEX
Mar 2, 2009Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND RECORD AND NEAR RECORD SNOW
Jan 30, 2009FloodSEVERE WINTER STORM, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES, AND FLOODING
Sep 7, 2005Coastal StormHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Mar 1, 2001EarthquakeEARTHQUAKE
Feb 29, 2000FireTWO FORK FIRE
Jan 17, 1997Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, LAND & MUDS SLIDES,FLOODING
Feb 9, 1996FloodHIGH WINDS, SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Jan 18, 1990FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
May 21, 1980Volcanic EruptionVOLCANIC ERUPTION, MT. ST. HELENS
Dec 10, 1977FloodSEVERE STORMS,MUDSLIDES, & FLOODING
Mar 31, 1977DroughtDROUGHT
Dec 13, 1975FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Jan 25, 1974FloodSEVERE STORMS, SNOWMELT & FLOODING
Dec 29, 1964FloodHEAVY RAINS & FLOODING

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

241

Total IA Distributed

$1,062,775

Repair/Replace

$28,896

Rental Assistance

$1,096

DisasterRegistrationsTotal IA $Avg Damage
DR-45581N/A—
DR-45121N/A—
DR-17911N/A—
DR-4481212$1,025,703—
DR-181726$37,072$2,535

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

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

108

Total Claims Paid

$1,447,394

Avg Claim Payout

$13,402

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

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$2,185,608

Disasters with PA

3

Total Projects

20

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4309Flood12$1,756,802
DR-4481Biological5$361,212
DR-1825Severe Storm(s)3$67,594

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

4

Federal Funding

$110,342

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

0.00

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan3$73,670
91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE1$36,672

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

Benton City has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are wildfire, heat wave, earthquake. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (9 declarations). 108 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,185,608 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,062,775 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.