Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Cottage Grove’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottage Grove gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #120 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cottage Grove, and Cottage Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 22% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #120 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cottage Grove’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, Cottage Grove has more expected damage per building than 84% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Cottage Grove: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cottage Grove flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cottage Grove, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cottage Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lane County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cottage Grove
Disasters that paid out in Cottage Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cottage Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.9M to the City of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds63 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$141K to the City of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$113K to the City of Cottage Grove for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$6K to the City of Cottage Grove for repairs
Lane County has had 18 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lane County, 2020–2022.
Old photos of Cottage Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cottage Grove archive →Get ready for what Cottage Grove 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.
- Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
Is Cottage Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottage Grove has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #120 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cottage Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cottage Grove since 1981, $11K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cottage Grove 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 Lane County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cottage Grove?
Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Cottage Grove, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $2.9M to the City of Cottage Grove for repairs.
Is Cottage Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cottage Grove’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cottage Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cottage Grove’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.