Photo: Kingofthedead · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Canby’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canby gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #94 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (61%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Canby 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 Canby’s grade
Earthquakes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canby, and Canby’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #94 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canby’s residents live in 5 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, Canby has more expected damage per building than 66% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Canby: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canby flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canby, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clackamas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canby
Disasters that paid out in Canby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$228K to the City of Canby for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds48 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
Clackamas County has had 15 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clackamas County, 2014–2022.
Old photos of Canby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canby archive →Get ready for what Canby 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Canby
Is Canby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canby has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #94 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (61%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Canby since 1980, $711 in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Canby 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 Clackamas County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canby’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 Canby?
By FEMA money that reached Canby, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $228K to the City of Canby for repairs.
Is Canby at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Canby’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canby’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.