John F. and John H. Broetje House · Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Oak Grove than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Grove gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #77 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 49 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 Oak Grove 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 Oak Grove’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Grove, and Oak Grove’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
C #77 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Grove’s residents live in 7 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, Oak Grove has more expected damage per building than 54% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Oak Grove: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Grove flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Grove, from FEMA’s records: 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $6K
Oak Grove 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 Oak Grove
Disasters that paid out in Oak Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to Oak Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
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 Oak Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Grove archive →Oak Grove and its neighbors
Oak Grove is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oatfield | B−less damage than 53% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Lake Oswego | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| West Linn | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Oak Grove | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 49 |
| Jennings Lodge | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Dunthorpe | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | — |
| Milwaukie | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | 53 |
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 Oak Grove 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 Oak Grove
Is Oak Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Grove has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #77 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Oak Grove since 1980, $1.6M in all, or 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Oak Grove 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 Oak Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Grove’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 Oak Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Grove, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 1 households applied for aid, $500 approved. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Oak Grove at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Oak Grove’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Grove’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.