Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Damascus faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Damascus gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #47 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1995.
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 Damascus 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 Damascus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Damascus, and Damascus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #47 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Damascus’ residents live in 3 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, Damascus has less expected damage per building than 67% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Damascus: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Damascus flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Damascus, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $5K
Damascus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clackamas County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Damascus
Disasters that paid out in Damascus itself (aid to households or repair grants to Damascus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds21 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Clackamas County has had 15 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clackamas County, 2014–2022.
Old photos of Damascus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Damascus archive →Damascus and its neighbors
Damascus is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Boring | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Damascus | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Damascus 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 Damascus
Is Damascus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Damascus has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #47 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Damascus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Damascus since 1995, $794K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Damascus 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 Clackamas County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Damascus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Damascus’ 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 Damascus?
By FEMA money that reached Damascus, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 21 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Damascus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Damascus’ rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Damascus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Damascus’ 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.