Photo: User:CookieMonster755 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Medford as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #27 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1981.
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 Medford 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 Medford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medford, and Medford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 44% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #27 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medford’s residents live in 24 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, Medford has less expected damage per building than 82% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.0M a year in losses across Medford: $24.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medford flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medford, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Medford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medford
Disasters that paid out in Medford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Medford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1,644 households applied for aid$17.2M aid approved$249K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$90K to the City of Medford for repairs
Jackson County has had 7 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 Jackson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Medford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medford archive →Medford and its neighbors
Medford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Phoenix | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Central Point | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 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 Medford 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.
- Medford residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Medford
Is Medford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #27 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Medford since 1981, $122K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Medford 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 Jackson County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Medford?
Medford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Medford?
By FEMA money that reached Medford, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 1,644 households applied for aid, $17.2M approved, and $249K to the City of Medford for repairs.
Is Medford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Medford’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medford’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.