Photo: Demi~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Ashland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #52 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1991.
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 stands out about Ashland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ashland 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
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 Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #52 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashland’s residents live in 8 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, Ashland has less expected damage per building than 64% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across Ashland: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ashland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds328 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
Jackson County has had 7 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jackson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Get ready for what Ashland 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.
- 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.
- Ashland residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #52 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Ashland since 1991, $370K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ashland 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 Jackson County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
Ashland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 328 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Ashland’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.