Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cornelius than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornelius gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #92 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (63%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
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 Cornelius 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 Cornelius’ grade
Earthquakes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cornelius, and Cornelius’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #92 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cornelius’ 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, Cornelius has more expected damage per building than 65% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Cornelius: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cornelius flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cornelius, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $4K
Cornelius isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.The storms Cornelius remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Cornelius itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20071 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Washington County
- 20101 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20161 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Washington County has had 11 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2020–2024.
Old photos of Cornelius after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cornelius archive →Cornelius and its neighbors
Cornelius has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelius | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Forest Grove | C−more damage than 80% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Cornelius 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 Cornelius
Is Cornelius at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornelius has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #92 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (63%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cornelius flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Cornelius since 2007, $12K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Cornelius 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cornelius?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cornelius’ 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 Cornelius?
By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Cornelius at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Cornelius’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cornelius.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cornelius’ 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.