Photo: Drown Soda · CC BY-SA 4.0La Grande’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grande gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #16 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then wildfire (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 La Grande 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
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 La Grande’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Grande, and La Grande’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #16 of 142 in Oregon; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Grande’s residents live in 5 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, La Grande has less expected damage per building than 89% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across La Grande: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Grande flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Grande, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
La Grande isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Grande
Disasters that paid out in La Grande itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Grande), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$53K to the City of La Grande for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$17K to the City of La Grande for repairs
Union 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Union County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of La Grande after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Grande archive →Get ready for what La Grande 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.
- 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 La Grande
Is La Grande at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grande has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #16 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and wildfire (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Grande flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in La Grande since 1979, $51K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is La Grande 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 Union County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in La Grande?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Grande’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 La Grande?
By FEMA money that reached La Grande, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2020): $53K to the City of La Grande for repairs.
Is La Grande at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and La Grande’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Grande.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Grande’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.