Photo: User:Yuehai1981 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Klamath Falls faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Klamath Falls gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #39 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Klamath Falls 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 Klamath Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Klamath Falls, and Klamath Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #39 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Klamath Falls’ residents live in 11 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, Klamath Falls has less expected damage per building than 73% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Klamath Falls: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Klamath Falls flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Klamath Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Klamath Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Klamath County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Klamath Falls
Disasters that paid out in Klamath Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Klamath Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds204 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Klamath 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 9 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Klamath County, 2008–2026.
Old photos of Klamath Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Klamath Falls archive →Klamath Falls and its neighbors
Klamath Falls has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klamath Falls | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Altamont | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Klamath Falls 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 Klamath Falls
Is Klamath Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Klamath Falls has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #39 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Klamath Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Klamath Falls since 2005, $7K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Klamath Falls 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 Klamath County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Klamath Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Klamath Falls’ 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 Klamath Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Klamath Falls, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 204 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Klamath Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Klamath Falls’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Klamath Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Klamath Falls’ 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.