For tornadoes, Medford’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Medford 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
Strong wind
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 Medford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medford, and Medford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Medford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Medford: $828K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medford, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Medford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Steele County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medford
Disasters that paid out in Medford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Medford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$24K to the City of Medford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$66K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Medford for repairs
Steele County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Medford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medford archive →Medford and its neighbors
Medford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Medford Township | — | 985 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Medford 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Medford
Is Medford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (17%). 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 Medford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Medford since 2016, $6K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Medford 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 Steele County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Medford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medford’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 Medford?
By FEMA money that reached Medford, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $66K to the City of Medford for repairs.
Is Medford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Medford’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medford’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.