Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Marlene Village than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlene Village gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #76 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1996.
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 Marlene Village 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
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 Marlene Village’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marlene Village, and Marlene Village’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C #76 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marlene Village’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, Marlene Village has more expected damage per building than 53% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Marlene Village: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marlene Village flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marlene Village, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $8K
Marlene Village 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.The storms Marlene Village remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Marlene Village itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199617 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and High Winds, declared for Washington County
- 20154 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Washington County
- 20032 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Marlene Village after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marlene Village archive →Marlene Village and its neighbors
Marlene Village is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hills | Cmore damage than 68% | earthquakes | 7 |
| Marlene Village | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 28 |
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 Marlene Village 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.
- 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 Marlene Village
Is Marlene Village at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlene Village has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #76 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marlene Village flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Marlene Village since 1996, $231K in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Marlene Village 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 Marlene Village?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marlene Village’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 Marlene Village?
By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Marlene Village at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Marlene Village’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marlene Village.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marlene Village’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.