Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Dundee than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dundee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #56 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Dundee 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 Dundee’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dundee, and Dundee’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #56 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dundee’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dundee has less expected damage per building than 61% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Dundee: $940K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dundee flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dundee, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dundee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yamhill County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Dundee
Disasters that paid out in Dundee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dundee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2K to the City of Dundee for repairs
Yamhill 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yamhill County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Dundee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dundee archive →Get ready for what Dundee 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 Dundee
Is Dundee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dundee has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #56 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (31%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dundee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Dundee since 1997, $18K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dundee 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 Yamhill County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dundee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dundee’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 Dundee?
By FEMA money that reached Dundee, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2006): $2K to the City of Dundee for repairs.
Is Dundee at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Dundee’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dundee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dundee’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.