George A. Wells Jr. House · Photo: 46percent · Public domainFEMA puts Independence’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #104 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), 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 Independence 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 Independence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence, and Independence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 46% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #104 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Independence’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, Independence has more expected damage per building than 73% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Independence: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Independence. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Independence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Independence
Disasters that paid out in Independence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Independence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$110K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$150K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$5K to the City of Independence for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Independence for repairs
Polk County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Independence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Independence archive →Independence and its neighbors
Independence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth | C+more damage than 60% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Independence | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Independence 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 Independence
Is Independence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #104 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Independence 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 Polk County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Independence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence’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 Independence?
By FEMA money that reached Independence, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $150K to the City of Independence for repairs.
Is Independence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Independence’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence’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.