Photo: Tedder · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Madras as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madras gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #40 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then wildfire (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Madras 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 Madras’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madras, and Madras’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #40 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madras’ residents live in 3 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, Madras has less expected damage per building than 72% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Madras: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madras flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madras, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madras isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Madras
Disasters that paid out in Madras itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madras), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$33K to the City of Madras for repairs
Jefferson County has had 8 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Madras after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madras archive →Get ready for what Madras 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 Madras
Is Madras at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madras has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #40 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and wildfire (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madras flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Madras since 1979, $2K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Madras 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Madras?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madras’ 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 Madras?
By FEMA money that reached Madras, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2005): $33K to the City of Madras for repairs.
Is Madras at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Madras’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madras.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madras’ 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.