Photo: Brian Burger ("WireLizard") · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, North Bend faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #131 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 North Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Bend 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 North Bend’s grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bend, and North Bend’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #131 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Bend’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, North Bend has more expected damage per building than 92% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.8M a year in losses across North Bend: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bend flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Bend, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Bend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coos County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Bend
Disasters that paid out in North Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$2K to the City of North Bend for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Coos County has had 16 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.
Old photos of North Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bend archive →North Bend and its neighbors
North Bend has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bend | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Coos Bay | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 45 |
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 North Bend 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 North Bend
Is North Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bend has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #131 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in North Bend since 1982, $30K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Bend 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 Coos County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Bend’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 North Bend?
By FEMA money that reached North Bend, Severe Winter Storm with High Winds (2002): $2K to the City of North Bend for repairs.
Is North Bend at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and North Bend’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bend’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.