Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Keizer than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keizer gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #96 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (51%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1996.
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 stands out about Keizer’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Keizer 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 Keizer’s grade
Earthquakes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Keizer, and Keizer’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #96 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Keizer’s residents live in 9 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, Keizer has more expected damage per building than 67% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Keizer: $10.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Keizer flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Keizer, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Keizer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Keizer
Disasters that paid out in Keizer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Keizer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$196K to the City of Keizer for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds24 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$23K to the City of Keizer for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$14K to the City of Keizer for repairs
Marion 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 2020–2023.
Old photos of Keizer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Keizer archive →Keizer and its neighbors
Keizer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | C+more damage than 59% | earthquakes | 164 |
| Keizer | C−more damage than 78% | earthquakes | 25 |
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 Keizer 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 Keizer
Is Keizer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keizer has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #96 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (51%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Keizer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Keizer since 1996, $429K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Keizer 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 Marion County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Keizer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Keizer’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 Keizer?
By FEMA money that reached Keizer, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $196K to the City of Keizer for repairs.
Is Keizer at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Keizer’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Keizer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Keizer’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.