Photo: Lonelystudentwithtoomuchtime · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lincoln City than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #115 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 stands out about Lincoln City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lincoln City 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
Tsunamis
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 Lincoln City’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lincoln City, and Lincoln City’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #115 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lincoln City’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, Lincoln City has more expected damage per building than 81% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Lincoln City: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lincoln City flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lincoln City, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $24K
Lincoln 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: Lincoln County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lincoln City
Disasters that paid out in Lincoln City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lincoln City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds143 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Lincoln County has had 19 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 Lincoln County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Lincoln City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lincoln City archive →Lincoln City and its neighbors
Lincoln City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln City | C−more damage than 84% | earthquakes | 44 |
| Neotsu | — | 872 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Lincoln 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.
- 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Lincoln City
Is Lincoln City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln City has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #115 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lincoln City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Lincoln City since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lincoln City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lincoln 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 Lincoln City?
By FEMA money that reached Lincoln City, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 143 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $24K.
Is Lincoln City at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Lincoln City’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lincoln City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lincoln 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.