Photo: 46percent · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Harrisburg than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #111 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (46%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrisburg, and Harrisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 46%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #111 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Harrisburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Harrisburg has more expected damage per building than 78% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Harrisburg: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrisburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Harrisburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Harrisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrisburg
Disasters that paid out in Harrisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$3K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs
Linn County has had 16 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 Linn County, 2003–2020.
Old photos of Harrisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrisburg archive →Get ready for what Harrisburg 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Harrisburg
Is Harrisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #111 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (46%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Harrisburg 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 Linn County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harrisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrisburg’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 Harrisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Harrisburg, Severe Winter Storm with High Winds (2002): $3K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs.
Is Harrisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Harrisburg’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrisburg’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.