Photo: SkatePark in Main City Park, Gresham, Oregon.jpg · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Gresham than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gresham gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #47 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Gresham 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 Gresham’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gresham, and Gresham’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #47 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gresham’s residents live in 28 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, Gresham has less expected damage per building than 67% of Oregon towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Gresham has higher expected damage per building than 53% (#214 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $41.5M, is the 286th largest of those 400.
Does Gresham flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gresham, 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.
Gresham 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gresham
Disasters that paid out in Gresham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gresham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$235K to the City of Gresham for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$860K to the City of Gresham for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$220K to the City of Gresham for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$98K to the City of Gresham 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 Gresham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gresham archive →Gresham and its neighbors
Gresham has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Gresham 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 Gresham
Is Gresham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gresham has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #47 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gresham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Gresham since 1980, $187K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gresham 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 Gresham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gresham’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 Gresham?
By FEMA money that reached Gresham, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $860K to the City of Gresham for repairs.
Is Gresham at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Gresham’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gresham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gresham’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.