Photo: M.O. Stevens · Public domainFEMA puts Forest Grove’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Grove gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #102 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Grove, and Forest Grove’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #102 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Grove’s residents live in 7 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, Forest Grove has more expected damage per building than 72% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.6M a year in losses across Forest Grove: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Grove flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Grove, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $14K
Forest Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Grove
Disasters that paid out in Forest Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$15K to the City of Forest Grove for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$61K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Washington County has had 11 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2020–2024.
Old photos of Forest Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Grove archive →Forest Grove and its neighbors
Forest Grove is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelius | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Forest Grove | C−more damage than 80% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
Is Forest Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Grove has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #102 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Forest Grove since 1996, $113K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Forest Grove 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Grove’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 Forest Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Grove, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 6 households applied for aid, $61K approved. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Forest Grove at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Forest Grove’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Grove’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.