Photo: Edfallere · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Albany than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #109 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (57%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1980.
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 Albany faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Albany’s grade
Earthquakes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albany, and Albany’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #109 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Albany’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Albany has more expected damage per building than 77% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $32.6M a year in losses across Albany: $22.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albany flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albany, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Albany is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Linn County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Albany
Disasters that paid out in Albany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Albany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$65K to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$158K to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds98 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$61K to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$63K to the City of Albany for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$750 to the City of Albany for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$482K to the City of Albany for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$10K to the City of Albany for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 18 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2003–2020.
Old photos of Albany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albany archive →Albany and its neighbors
Albany is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millersburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Albany | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 12 |
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 Albany faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Albany residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Albany
Is Albany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #109 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (57%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Albany since 1980, $125K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Albany 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 Linn County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Albany?
Albany is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Albany?
By FEMA money that reached Albany, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $482K to the City of Albany for repairs.
Is Albany at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Albany’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albany’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.