Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bend than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bend gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #4 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Bend 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
Wildfire
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 Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bend, and Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #4 of 142 in Oregon; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bend’s residents live in 23 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, Bend has less expected damage per building than 98% of Oregon towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Bend has lower expected damage per building than 91% (#38 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $23.2M, is the 378th largest of those 400.
Does Bend flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bend, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Deschutes County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bend
Disasters that paid out in Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$246K to the City of Bend for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$65K to the City of Bend for repairs
Deschutes County has had 6 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 Deschutes County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bend archive →Bend and its neighbors
Bend has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Deschutes River Woods | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tetherow | — | 765 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 Bend 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Bend
Is Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bend has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #4 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and wildfire (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Bend since 1983, $50K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bend 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 Deschutes County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bend’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 Bend?
By FEMA money that reached Bend, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2017): $246K to the City of Bend for repairs.
Is Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Bend’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bend’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.