Photo: Tedder · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Clatskanie than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clatskanie gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims 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 Clatskanie 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 Clatskanie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clatskanie, and Clatskanie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clatskanie’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Clatskanie: $873K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clatskanie flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clatskanie, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $267K
Clatskanie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clatskanie
Disasters that paid out in Clatskanie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clatskanie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$48K to the City of Clatskanie for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$14K to the City of Clatskanie for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides110 households applied for aid$429K aid approved$112K to the City of Clatskanie for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1K to the City of Clatskanie for repairs
Columbia County has had 13 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 Clatskanie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clatskanie archive →Get ready for what Clatskanie 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clatskanie
Is Clatskanie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clatskanie has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clatskanie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Clatskanie since 1996, $1.0M in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Clatskanie 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 Columbia County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clatskanie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clatskanie’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 Clatskanie?
By FEMA money that reached Clatskanie, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 110 households applied for aid, $429K approved, and $112K to the City of Clatskanie for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $267K.
Is Clatskanie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Clatskanie’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clatskanie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clatskanie’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.