Photo: M.O. Stevens · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in King City than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, King City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #121 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (36%). 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 King City 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 King City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in King City, and King City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 36% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D #121 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
King City’s residents live in 2 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, King City has more expected damage per building than 85% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across King City: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does King City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in King City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
King City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to King City
Disasters that paid out in King City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of King City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Washington County has had 11 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2020–2024.
Old photos of King City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the King City archive →King City and its neighbors
King City is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Mountain | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tualatin | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Tigard | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 13 |
| King City | Dmore damage than 88% | 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 King City 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 King City
Is King City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, King City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #121 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is King City 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in King City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for King City’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 King City?
By FEMA money that reached King City, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 1 households applied for aid, $6K approved.
Is King City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and King City’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in King City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where King City’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.