Photo: Nicolas from Paris, France · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Grants Pass than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grants Pass gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #118 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Grants Pass’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grants Pass 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
Wildfire
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 Grants Pass’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grants Pass, and Grants Pass’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #118 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grants Pass’ residents live in 13 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, Grants Pass has more expected damage per building than 83% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.7M a year in losses across Grants Pass: $15.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grants Pass flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grants Pass, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grants Pass is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Josephine County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grants Pass
Disasters that paid out in Grants Pass itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grants Pass), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$28K to the City of Grants Pass for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Grants Pass for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Grants Pass for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Josephine County has had 10 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 12 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Josephine County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Grants Pass after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grants Pass archive →Grants Pass and its neighbors
Grants Pass 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grants Pass | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Grants Pass 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Grants Pass residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Grants Pass
Is Grants Pass at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grants Pass has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #118 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grants Pass flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Grants Pass since 1981, $102K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Grants Pass 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 Josephine County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grants Pass?
Grants Pass is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Grants Pass?
By FEMA money that reached Grants Pass, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2017): $36K to the City of Grants Pass for repairs.
Is Grants Pass at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Grants Pass’ rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grants Pass.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grants Pass’ 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.