Photo: Trashbag · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts John Day’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, John Day gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then wildfire (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 John Day 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
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 John Day’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in John Day, and John Day’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of John Day’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across John Day: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does John Day flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in John Day, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
John Day isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to John Day
Disasters that paid out in John Day itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of John Day), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.1M to the City of John Day for repairs
Grant County has had 6 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Grant County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of John Day after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the John Day archive →Get ready for what John Day 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in John Day
Is John Day at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, John Day has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and wildfire (16%). 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.
Does John Day flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in John Day since 1979, $51K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is John Day 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 Grant County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in John Day?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for John Day’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 John Day?
By FEMA money that reached John Day, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $1.1M to the City of John Day for repairs.
Is John Day at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and John Day’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in John Day.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where John Day’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.