Robert Vinton Beall House · Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Central Point than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Point gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #59 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 stands out about Central Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Central Point 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
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 Central Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central Point, and Central Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #59 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Central Point’s residents live in 4 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, Central Point has less expected damage per building than 59% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Central Point: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central Point flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central Point, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Central Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Central Point
Disasters that paid out in Central Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Central Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds91 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$619K to the City of Central Point for repairs
Jackson County has had 7 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 Jackson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Central Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central Point archive →Central Point and its neighbors
Central Point is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Central Point | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
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 Central Point 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.
- 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.
- Central Point residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Central Point
Is Central Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Point has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #59 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Central Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Central Point since 1983, $150K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Central Point 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 Jackson County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central Point?
Central Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Central Point?
By FEMA money that reached Central Point, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 91 households applied for aid, $23K approved, and $619K to the City of Central Point for repairs.
Is Central Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Central Point’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central Point’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.