Aubrey R. Watzek House · Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Portland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #72 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (69%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 167 claims here since 1978.
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 Portland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Portland 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 Portland’s grade
Earthquakes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Portland, and Portland’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C #72 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Portland’s residents live in 185 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, Portland has more expected damage per building than 50% of Oregon towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Portland has higher expected damage per building than 62% (#249 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $371M, is the 16th largest of those 400.
Does Portland flood? Yes: 167 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Portland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm18 claims · $403K
Portland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Multnomah County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Portland
Disasters that paid out in Portland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Portland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.4M to the City of Portland for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds85 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3.5M to the City of Portland for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$353K to the City of Portland for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$1.6M to the City of Portland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Multnomah County has had 8 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Multnomah County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Portland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Portland archive →Portland and its neighbors
Portland is 9th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Haven-Sylvan | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Happy Valley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cedar Mill | Bless damage than 57% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Raleigh Hills | C+more damage than 57% | earthquakes | 13 |
| Gresham | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Beaverton | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 31 |
| Lake Oswego | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Garden Home-Whitford | Cmore damage than 66% | earthquakes | 41 |
| Portland | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 167 |
| 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 Portland 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.
- Portland residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Portland
Is Portland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #72 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (69%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Portland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 167 claims in Portland since 1978, $3.0M in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (18).
Is Portland 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 Multnomah County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Portland?
Portland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Portland?
By FEMA money that reached Portland, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $3.5M to the City of Portland for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 18 paid, $403K.
Is Portland at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Portland’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Portland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Portland’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.