Photo: Paltron · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Thayer faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thayer gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Thayer 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
Earthquakes
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 Thayer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thayer, and Thayer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thayer’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Thayer: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thayer flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thayer, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $17K
Thayer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oregon County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thayer
Disasters that paid out in Thayer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Thayer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$683K to the City of Thayer for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding13 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$16K to the City of Thayer for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$562K to the City of Thayer for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding46 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$27K to the City of Thayer for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$44K to the City of Thayer for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Thayer for repairs
Oregon County has had 20 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 Thayer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thayer archive →Thayer and its neighbors
Thayer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thayer | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mammoth Spring | — | not graded yet | |
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 Thayer 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Thayer
Is Thayer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thayer has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thayer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Thayer since 2011, $20K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Thayer 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 Oregon County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thayer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thayer’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 Thayer?
By FEMA money that reached Thayer, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $683K to the City of Thayer for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Thayer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Thayer’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thayer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thayer’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.