Enter any address in Benton County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Benton County, Washington has recorded 12 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 10 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 9, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides | Flood | Jan 30, 2017 |
| South Ward Gap Fire | Fire | Jul 31, 2016 |
| Dry Creek Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 21, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, And Flooding | Flood | Jan 6, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Severe Storm | Dec 12, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Feb 28, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 18, 2011 | 60.00K |
| Flood | May 17, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2009 | 453.00K |
| Flood | Feb 2, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Jan 31, 1997 | — |
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2019
Slow moving thunderstorms produced up to 2 inches of rain in 1 hour in and around the Badger WA area with water up to 10 inches deep reported across several roads across portions of southwestern Kennewick to Badger.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2017
A disturbance, associated with subtropical moisture, caused thunderstorms producing large hail and severe wind gusts over portions of eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Also locally heavy rain and local flooding occurred with some storms.
Flood — Feb 21, 2017
Rapid melting of low elevation snow pack with heavy rain cause flooding across portions of southeast Washington.
Flood — Jan 18, 2011
A large Pacific weather system became established in mid January that produced copious amounts of rainfall with unseasonably warm conditions in parts of Washington. The heavy rainfall combined with snowmelt caused rapid runoff with 4 rivers and 7 different warning points reaching flood stage. Flood warnings were first issued on the morning of January 15 and the last flood warning ended on Jan...
Flood — May 17, 2011
An upper level low pressure system moved over the Pacific Northwest. Moist and unstable conditions ahead of the low triggered widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and isolated large hail. This combined with the abundant spring snow-pack and wet ground to cause flooding. A 75 yard wide mudslide closed Highway 410 at milepost 87. As the upper low brought colder air. late season heavy snow...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Benton County, Washington:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Benton County, Washington that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.