District of Columbia, DC
FEMA National Risk Index scores, disaster declarations & hazard data
District of Columbia has experienced 23 federally declared disasters since 1989, most recently Sewer Line Collapse in 2026. Its overall natural hazard risk is rated Relatively High — higher risk than most US counties.
District of Columbia's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, earthquake, and strong wind, with its top risk rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index. Recorded storm events have decreased 42% over the past five years compared to the prior five-year period.
Past disasters & FEMA designations
A federal disaster declaration officially designates a county for FEMA disaster assistance. District of Columbia has been designated in 23 declarations since 1989, covering 6 disaster types including severe storm (8), hurricane (6), snowstorm (3).
| Year | Type | Event name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Other | Sewer Line Collapse |
| 2021 | Other | 59th Presidential Inauguration |
| 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2016 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| 2012 | Earthquake | Earthquake |
| 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 total declarations since 1989.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. A single disaster can produce more than one record per county. Data current through September 2026.
Risk by hazard type
| Hazard | Risk rating | Risk score | Recorded events | Deaths | Prop. damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Very Low | 26.2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Inland Flooding | Relatively High | 97.4 | 115 | 0 | $600K |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Moderate | 74 | 48 | 0 | — |
| Earthquake | Relatively High | 98.3 | — | — | — |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High | 99.2 | 27 | 0 | — |
| Tornado | Relatively High | 90.4 | 4 | 0 | $200K |
| Hurricane | Relatively High | 96 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Hail | Relatively High | 97 | 19 | 0 | — |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 98.2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 96.8 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | 70.2 | — | — | — |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | 94.1 | — | — | — |
| Lightning | Very High | 96.6 | 3 | 3 | $200K |
| Drought | No Rating | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | 80.9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Avalanche | Not Applicable | — | — | — | — |
| Tsunami | Insufficient Data | — | — | — | — |
| Volcanic Activity | Not Applicable | — | — | — | — |
Scores are 0–100 percentiles relative to all US counties — higher means more exposed, not that a disaster is likely this year. Event counts: NOAA Storm Events 2016–2026; earthquake counts from USGS ComCat (M3.0+, 1996–2026). See the methodology page for details.
Community vulnerability
District of Columbia ranks in the 63rd percentile (Moderate) for community vulnerability — a measure of how hard disaster impacts tend to hit residents. Higher vulnerability means more displacement, worse health outcomes, and slower recovery after a disaster.
| SVI theme | Percentile | Vulnerability level |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 63rd | Moderate |
| Socioeconomic status | 44th | Low |
| Household characteristics | 11th | Very low |
| Racial & ethnic minority status | 94th | High |
| Housing type & transportation | 96th | High |
Source: CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022. Percentiles compare counties nationally — higher means more vulnerable relative to other counties. See CDC SVI for full methodology.
Future risk outlook
Wildfire, flood, and heat projections are pending data availability. See the data page for status.
Nearby counties
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards pose the greatest risk in District of Columbia?
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, the highest-risk hazards in District of Columbia, District of Columbia are heat wave, earthquake, and strong wind. The county's overall natural hazard risk is rated Relatively High — higher risk than most US counties.
Has District of Columbia received federal disaster declarations?
Yes. District of Columbia has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including declarations in 2026. The most common disaster type on record is severe storm (8 declarations).
Has District of Columbia had any FEMA disaster declarations in 2024, 2025, or 2026?
Yes. Recent federal disaster declarations for District of Columbia include Sewer Line Collapse (2026). See the declarations table above for the full history since 1989.
How does District of Columbia's natural hazard risk compare to nearby counties?
Among neighboring counties, Fairfax County, VA has the highest overall natural hazard risk (Relatively High) and Falls Church, VA has the lowest (Very Low). District of Columbia is rated Relatively High overall.
How is District of Columbia's composite disaster risk index calculated?
District of Columbia's composite disaster risk index — officially FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) — scores every US county on a 0–100 percentile scale across 18 natural hazard types, factoring in expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience. District of Columbia's composite score of 98 means its overall natural hazard risk is higher than 98% of US counties.