Photo: Cacophony · CC BY-SA 3.0For wildfire, Burns’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #57 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then wildfire (37%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1982.
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 Burns 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 Burns’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burns, and Burns’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 37%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #57 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burns’ residents live in 2 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, Burns has less expected damage per building than 60% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Burns: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burns flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burns, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burns isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harney County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Burns
Disasters that paid out in Burns itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burns), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$2K to the City of Burns for repairs
Harney County has had 3 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 Harney County, 2007–2024.
Old photos of Burns after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burns archive →Get ready for what Burns 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 Burns
Is Burns at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #57 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and wildfire (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burns flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Burns since 1982, $133K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Burns 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 Harney County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burns?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burns’ 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 Burns?
By FEMA money that reached Burns, Severe Winter Storms (2003): $2K to the City of Burns for repairs.
Is Burns at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Burns’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burns.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burns’ 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.