Photo: Sam Beebe · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hood River than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hood River gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #8 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (30%). 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 Hood River 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
Strong wind
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 Hood River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hood River, and Hood River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #8 of 142 in Oregon; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hood River’s residents live in 4 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, Hood River has less expected damage per building than 95% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Hood River: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hood River flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hood River. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hood River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hood River County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hood River
Disasters that paid out in Hood River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hood River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$90K to the City of Hood River for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$24K to the City of Hood River for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Hood River for repairs
Hood River 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hood River County, 2003–2017.
Old photos of Hood River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hood River archive →Get ready for what Hood River 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hood River
Is Hood River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hood River has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #8 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hood River 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 Hood River County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hood River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hood River’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 Hood River?
By FEMA money that reached Hood River, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $90K to the City of Hood River for repairs.
Is Hood River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hood River’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hood River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hood River’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.