DisasterAWARE
9
Extreme

high-wind High Wind Risk in Washington, DC

Risk Level: Extreme — Score 9/10

FEMA: 9Historical: 10

Live High Wind alert status near Washington

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Live high wind activity around Washington — refreshed throughout the day.

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Key Risk Factors

  • FEMA rates Washington's county as Very High risk for this hazard
  • Estimated annual loss of $6M from this hazard type
  • 28 events recorded in proximity in recent decades
  • High recent activity — multiple events in the last 12 months
  • Average annual frequency: 7.9 events per year

Last significant event: Gale - Chesapeake Bay _ Maryland tidal rivers, United States (2026-01-11) — 1,390 people exposed

Highest Risk Cities for High Winds

1
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
2
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
3
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
4
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
5
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
6
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
7
Washington, DC
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
8
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
9
FEMA: 9Historical: 10
10
FEMA: 9Historical: 10

How Washington Compares

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Notable High Wind Events Near Washington

DisasterAWARE's historical archive records 5 notable high wind events near Washington, ranked below by impact. The most impactful: Wind - Washington, D.C. metro area, MD _ VA, United States (December 2025) — 8,970,000 people exposed; $2,286,848M capital exposed.

Wind - Washington, D.C. metro area, MD _ VA, United States

December 28, 2025 ADVISORY

8,970,000 people exposed; $2,286,848M capital exposed

Gale - Chesapeake Bay _ Maryland tidal rivers, United States

January 10, 2026 WARNING

1,390 people exposed; $1,281M capital exposed

Gale - Chesapeake Bay region, Maryland, United States

November 15, 2025 WATCH

1,140 people exposed; $1,207M capital exposed

Gale - Central Maryland, United States

November 15, 2025 WARNING

446 people exposed; $1,153M capital exposed

High Winds - Northeastern United States

November 26, 2019 WARNING

Impact data not available

High Wind Preparedness Tips

  • 1.Secure loose outdoor items — patio furniture, trash cans, decorations
  • 2.Trim trees and remove dead branches that could fall on structures
  • 3.Reinforce garage doors and ensure roof shingles are properly fastened
  • 4.Avoid driving high-profile vehicles during high wind warnings
  • 5.Stay away from windows during severe wind events

Related Pages

How this data is built

Washington, DC high wind risk combines Historical Event Intelligence with authoritative hazard modeling from the Geospatial Intelligence Layers catalog. Live high wind monitoring is available through the Event Intelligence API and the DisasterAWARE Platform.

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