Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Molalla faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Molalla gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #30 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Molalla 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 Molalla’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Molalla, and Molalla’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 48% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #30 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Molalla’s 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, Molalla has less expected damage per building than 79% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Molalla: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Molalla flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Molalla, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Molalla 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Molalla
Disasters that paid out in Molalla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Molalla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds276 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$111K to the City of Molalla for repairs
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 Molalla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Molalla archive →Get ready for what Molalla 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Molalla
Is Molalla at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Molalla has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #30 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Molalla flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Molalla since 1996, $275K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Molalla 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 Molalla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Molalla’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 Molalla?
By FEMA money that reached Molalla, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 276 households applied for aid, $47K approved, and $111K to the City of Molalla for repairs.
Is Molalla at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Molalla’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Molalla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Molalla’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.