Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Creswell than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creswell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #99 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then earthquakes (19%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Creswell 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 Creswell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Creswell, and Creswell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 19% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #99 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Creswell’s residents live in 2 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, Creswell has more expected damage per building than 70% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Creswell: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Creswell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Creswell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Creswell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lane County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Creswell
Disasters that paid out in Creswell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Creswell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$194K to the City of Creswell for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds22 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$9K to the City of Creswell 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 Creswell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Creswell archive →Get ready for what Creswell 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 Creswell
Is Creswell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creswell has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #99 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Creswell 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 Creswell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Creswell’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 Creswell?
By FEMA money that reached Creswell, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $194K to the City of Creswell for repairs.
Is Creswell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Creswell’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Creswell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Creswell’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.