Photo: Stevedrone91 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Oregon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #505 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1978.
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 Oregon 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
Hail
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 Oregon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oregon, and Oregon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #505 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oregon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Oregon has more expected damage per building than 66% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Oregon: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oregon flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oregon, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oregon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oregon
Disasters that paid out in Oregon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oregon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Oregon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Oregon for repairs
- 2006Snow$15K to the City of Oregon for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$11K to the City of Oregon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Oregon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oregon archive →Get ready for what Oregon 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Oregon
Is Oregon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #505 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oregon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Oregon since 1978, $660K in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Oregon 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oregon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oregon’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 Oregon?
By FEMA money that reached Oregon, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $23K to the City of Oregon for repairs.
Is Oregon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Oregon’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oregon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oregon’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.