FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wilsonville than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilsonville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Wilsonville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Wilsonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilsonville, and Wilsonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wilsonville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $991K a year in losses across Wilsonville: $716K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilsonville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilsonville, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wilsonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilsonville
Disasters that paid out in Wilsonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilsonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$597 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Shelby County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shelby County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Wilsonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilsonville archive →Get ready for what Wilsonville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wilsonville
Is Wilsonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilsonville has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilsonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wilsonville since 1998, $1K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wilsonville in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Shelby County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wilsonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilsonville’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Wilsonville?
By FEMA money that reached Wilsonville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 2 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Wilsonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wilsonville’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilsonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilsonville’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.