College Hill West Historic District (Additional Documentation) · Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Corvallis than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corvallis gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #93 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (63%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 stands out about Corvallis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Corvallis 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 Corvallis’ grade
Earthquakes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Corvallis, and Corvallis’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #93 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Corvallis’ residents live in 16 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, Corvallis has more expected damage per building than 65% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $44.2M a year in losses across Corvallis: $27.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Corvallis flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Corvallis, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Corvallis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Benton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Corvallis
Disasters that paid out in Corvallis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Corvallis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Corvallis for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Corvallis for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$412K to the City of Corvallis for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$13K to the City of Corvallis for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$53K to the City of Corvallis for repairs
Benton County has had 12 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 Corvallis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Corvallis archive →Get ready for what Corvallis 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.
- Corvallis residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Corvallis
Is Corvallis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corvallis has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #93 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 Corvallis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Corvallis since 1996, $204K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Corvallis 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 Benton County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Corvallis?
Corvallis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Corvallis?
By FEMA money that reached Corvallis, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $412K to the City of Corvallis for repairs.
Is Corvallis at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Corvallis’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Corvallis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Corvallis’ 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.