Washington, DC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Washington is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for District of Columbia, DC. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, earthquake, and strong wind.
Storm events near Washington
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Washington's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Washington itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are District of Columbia's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Washington along with the rest of the county, not a Washington-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 26.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 98.3 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 99.2 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 90.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 94.1 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 97 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 96 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | 70.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 80.9 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 96.6 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 98.2 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 96.8 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full District of Columbia risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on District of Columbia:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Washington, DC at risk of?
Washington is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for District of Columbia, where Washington is located, are heat wave, earthquake, and strong wind.
What is Washington's biggest natural hazard risk?
Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for District of Columbia, where Washington is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Washington a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Washington carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for District of Columbia.
Has Washington had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 187 hail, 1054 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Washington since 2016.