Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Philomath’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Philomath gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #89 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2012.
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 Philomath 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 Philomath’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Philomath, and Philomath’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 48% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #89 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Philomath’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, Philomath has more expected damage per building than 62% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Philomath: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Philomath flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Philomath, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Philomath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.The storms Philomath remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Benton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Philomath itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20122 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Benton County
Benton County has had 12 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 Philomath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Philomath archive →Get ready for what Philomath 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 Philomath
Is Philomath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Philomath has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #89 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Philomath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Philomath since 2012, $25K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Philomath 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 Benton County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Philomath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Philomath’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Philomath at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Philomath’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Philomath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Philomath’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.