River Mill Hydroelectric Project · Photo: Lockley · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Estacada faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estacada gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #14 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (25%). 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 Estacada 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 Estacada’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Estacada, and Estacada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #14 of 142 in Oregon; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Estacada’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, Estacada has less expected damage per building than 91% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Estacada: $814K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Estacada flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Estacada. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Estacada 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Estacada
Disasters that paid out in Estacada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Estacada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds413 households applied for aid$390K aid approved$32K to the City of Estacada for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Estacada for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Estacada for repairs
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 Estacada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Estacada archive →Get ready for what Estacada 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 Estacada
Is Estacada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estacada has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #14 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Estacada 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 Estacada?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Estacada’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 Estacada?
By FEMA money that reached Estacada, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 413 households applied for aid, $390K approved, and $32K to the City of Estacada for repairs.
Is Estacada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Estacada’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Estacada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Estacada’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.