Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Eugene’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eugene gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #73 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1980.
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 Eugene 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 Eugene’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eugene, and Eugene’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 41% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #73 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eugene’s residents live in 48 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, Eugene has more expected damage per building than 51% of Oregon towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Eugene has higher expected damage per building than 63% (#251 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $81.6M, is the 150th largest of those 400.
Does Eugene flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eugene, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Eugene is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lane County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eugene
Disasters that paid out in Eugene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eugene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$989K to the City of Eugene for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds509 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$24K to the City of Eugene for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$431K to the City of Eugene for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$1.7M to the City of Eugene for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$499K to the City of Eugene for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$37K to the City of Eugene for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$216K to the City of Eugene 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 Eugene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eugene archive →Eugene and its neighbors
Eugene has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Santa Clara | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Springfield | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| River Road | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Eugene 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.
- Eugene residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Eugene
Is Eugene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eugene has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #73 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eugene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Eugene since 1980, $111K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Eugene 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 Eugene?
Eugene is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Eugene?
By FEMA money that reached Eugene, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2016): $1.7M to the City of Eugene for repairs.
Is Eugene at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Eugene’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eugene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eugene’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.