Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Roseburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roseburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #114 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 stands out about Roseburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roseburg 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 Roseburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roseburg, and Roseburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #114 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roseburg’s residents live in 8 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, Roseburg has more expected damage per building than 80% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.2M a year in losses across Roseburg: $12.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roseburg flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roseburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Roseburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roseburg
Disasters that paid out in Roseburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roseburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$142K to the City of Roseburg for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds7,934 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$55K to the City of Roseburg for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$381K to the City of Roseburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$379K to the City of Roseburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Roseburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Roseburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roseburg archive →Roseburg and its neighbors
Roseburg is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roseburg North | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Roseburg | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Roseburg 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.
- Roseburg residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Roseburg
Is Roseburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roseburg has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #114 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roseburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Roseburg since 1980, $792K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Roseburg 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 Roseburg?
Roseburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Roseburg?
By FEMA money that reached Roseburg, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $381K to the City of Roseburg for repairs.
Is Roseburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Roseburg’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roseburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roseburg’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.