Bonneville Dam Historic District · Photo: Eric Guinther (en:User:Marshman) · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cascade Locks than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cascade Locks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (55%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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 Cascade Locks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cascade Locks faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Cascade Locks’ grade
Wildfire is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cascade Locks, and Cascade Locks’ rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cascade Locks’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Cascade Locks: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cascade Locks flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cascade Locks, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cascade Locks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hood River County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cascade Locks
Disasters that paid out in Cascade Locks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cascade Locks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$53K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$83K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$5K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$54K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs
Hood River County has had 10 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hood River County, 2003–2017.
Old photos of Cascade Locks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cascade Locks archive →Get ready for what Cascade Locks faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cascade Locks
Is Cascade Locks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cascade Locks has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (55%) and river and rain flooding (33%). 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 Cascade Locks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cascade Locks since 1996, $3K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cascade Locks 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 Hood River County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cascade Locks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cascade Locks’ 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 Cascade Locks?
By FEMA money that reached Cascade Locks, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2017): $83K to the City of Cascade Locks for repairs.
Is Cascade Locks at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Cascade Locks’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cascade Locks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cascade Locks’ 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.