Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Reedsport faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reedsport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #127 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Reedsport 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
Coastal flooding
Tsunamis
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 Reedsport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reedsport, and Reedsport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #127 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reedsport’s residents live in 2 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, Reedsport has more expected damage per building than 89% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Reedsport: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reedsport flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reedsport, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Reedsport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reedsport
Disasters that paid out in Reedsport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Reedsport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Reedsport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$11K to the City of Reedsport for repairs
Douglas County has had 18 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 Douglas County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Reedsport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reedsport archive →Get ready for what Reedsport 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Reedsport
Is Reedsport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reedsport has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #127 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reedsport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Reedsport since 2005, $151K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Reedsport 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 Douglas County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reedsport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reedsport’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 Reedsport?
By FEMA money that reached Reedsport, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2005): $14K to the City of Reedsport for repairs.
Is Reedsport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Reedsport’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reedsport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reedsport’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.