Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Fairview’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #58 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Fairview 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 Fairview’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairview, and Fairview’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #58 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairview’s 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, Fairview has less expected damage per building than 60% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Fairview: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairview flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairview, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fairview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Multnomah County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairview
Disasters that paid out in Fairview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Fairview for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$2K to the City of Fairview for repairs
- 2004Snow$4K to the City of Fairview for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$2K to the City of Fairview for repairs
Multnomah County has had 8 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 Multnomah County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Fairview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairview archive →Fairview and its neighbors
Fairview is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camas | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gresham | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Fairview | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Troutdale | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wood Village | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 1 |
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 Fairview 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 Fairview
Is Fairview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #58 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fairview since 1996, $13K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fairview 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 Multnomah County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairview’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 Fairview?
By FEMA money that reached Fairview, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $36K to the City of Fairview for repairs.
Is Fairview at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Fairview’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairview’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.