Photo: PortlandSaint · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Milwaukie than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milwaukie gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #91 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1980.
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 Milwaukie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milwaukie, and Milwaukie’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #91 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milwaukie’s residents live in 8 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, Milwaukie has more expected damage per building than 64% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Milwaukie: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milwaukie flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milwaukie, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm3 claims · $44K
Milwaukie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clackamas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milwaukie
Disasters that paid out in Milwaukie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milwaukie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds40 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$8K to the City of Milwaukie for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.7M to the City of Milwaukie for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$26K to the City of Milwaukie for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$20K to the City of Milwaukie for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Clackamas County has had 15 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clackamas County, 2014–2022.
Old photos of Milwaukie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milwaukie archive →Milwaukie and its neighbors
Milwaukie is 5th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie
Is Milwaukie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milwaukie has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #91 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milwaukie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Milwaukie since 1980, $2.7M in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (3).
Is Milwaukie 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 Clackamas County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milwaukie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milwaukie’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 Milwaukie?
By FEMA money that reached Milwaukie, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $1.7M to the City of Milwaukie for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 3 paid, $44K.
Is Milwaukie at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Milwaukie’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milwaukie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milwaukie’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.