Photo: Dima Sergiyenko; Please attribute this image as the work of "DiscoverWithDima." · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Cannon Beach faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cannon Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1981.
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 Cannon Beach 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
Tsunamis
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 Cannon Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cannon Beach, and Cannon Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cannon Beach’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Cannon Beach: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cannon Beach flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cannon Beach, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cannon Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clatsop County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cannon Beach
Disasters that paid out in Cannon Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cannon Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides34 households applied for aid$170 aid approved$103K to the City of Cannon Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$7K to the City of Cannon Beach for repairs
Clatsop 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.
Old photos of Cannon Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cannon Beach archive →Get ready for what Cannon Beach 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Cannon Beach
Is Cannon Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cannon Beach has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (31%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cannon Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Cannon Beach since 1981, $324K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cannon Beach 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 Clatsop County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cannon Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cannon Beach’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 Cannon Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Cannon Beach, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 34 households applied for aid, $170 approved, and $103K to the City of Cannon Beach for repairs.
Is Cannon Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Cannon Beach’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cannon Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cannon Beach’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.