Photo: Pete Forsyth · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Oregon City faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #50 of 142 in Oregon State. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Oregon City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oregon City 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 Oregon City’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oregon City, and Oregon City’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #50 of 142 in Oregon State; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oregon City’s residents live in 10 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon State town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Oregon City has less expected damage per building than 65% of Oregon State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.1M a year in losses across Oregon City: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oregon City flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oregon City, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $16K
Oregon City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clackamas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oregon City
Disasters that paid out in Oregon City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oregon City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$1.0M to the City of Oregon City for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds421 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$59K to the City of Oregon City for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$92K to the City of Oregon City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$52K to the City of Oregon City 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 Oregon City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oregon City archive →Oregon City and its neighbors
Oregon City is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Oregon City | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 18 |
| West Linn | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Gladstone | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Oregon City 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.
- Oregon City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oregon City
Is Oregon City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon City has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #50 of 142 in Oregon State. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oregon City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Oregon City since 1982, $1.5M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Oregon City 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 Oregon City?
Oregon City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Oregon City?
By FEMA money that reached Oregon City, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $1.0M to the City of Oregon City for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Oregon City at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Oregon City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oregon City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oregon City’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.