Every federal disaster in Washington since 1989
Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered District of Columbia. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.
- Declarations
- 24since 1989
- Major disasters
- 15the most serious kind
- Since 2000
- 20declarations
- Most recent
- 2026Sewer Line Collapse
FEMA's National Risk Index rates District of Columbia County's overall natural hazard risk relatively high, led by winter weather, strong wind and lightning. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.
All declarations
| Declared | Event | Type | FEMA number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2026 | Sewer Line Collapse | Emergency | EM-3643 |
| Jan 11, 2021 | 59Th Presidential Inauguration | Emergency | EM-3553 |
| Mar 29, 2020 | COVID-19 Pandemic | Major disaster | DR-4502 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | COVID-19 | Emergency | EM-3447 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-4260 |
| Dec 5, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Major disaster | DR-4096 |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Emergency | EM-3352 |
| Jul 31, 2012 | Severe Storms | Major disaster | DR-4073 |
| Nov 8, 2011 | Earthquake | Major disaster | DR-4044 |
| Sep 28, 2011 | Hurricane Irene | Major disaster | DR-4036 |
| Aug 28, 2011 | Hurricane Irene | Emergency | EM-3337 |
| Mar 24, 2010 | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms | Major disaster | DR-1890 |
| Mar 3, 2010 | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-1882 |
| Jan 13, 2009 | 56Th Presidential Inauguration | Emergency | EM-3300 |
| Sep 7, 2005 | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Emergency | EM-3226 |
| Sep 20, 2003 | Hurricane Isabel | Major disaster | DR-1493 |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Snow | Emergency | EM-3178 |
| Aug 16, 2001 | Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides | Major disaster | DR-1389 |
| Aug 17, 2000 | Severe Thunderstorms | Major disaster | DR-1338 |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Winter Storm | Major disaster | DR-1325 |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Major disaster | DR-1080 |
| Jun 17, 1994 | Severe Winter Ice Storm | Major disaster | DR-1030 |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Emergency | EM-3108 |
| Aug 28, 1989 | Severe Storms & High Winds | Major disaster | DR-838 |
Frequently asked questions
How many federal disasters has Washington had?
Since 1989, the federal government has issued 24 disaster or emergency declarations covering District of Columbia, including 15 major disaster declarations. 20 of them came in 2000 or later.
What was the most recent federal disaster in Washington?
Sewer Line Collapse (Emergency, declared February 20, 2026).
What kinds of disasters hit Washington most often?
By FEMA incident type: severe storm (9), hurricane (6), snowstorm (3) and other (3).
New to Washington? The moving checklist covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named District of Columbia, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.