Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Salem as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #43 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (65%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 164 claims here since 1981.
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 Salem’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salem 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 Salem’s grade
Earthquakes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #43 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem’s residents live in 46 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, Salem has less expected damage per building than 70% of Oregon towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Salem has higher expected damage per building than 50% (#202 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $82.7M, is the 149th largest of those 400.
Does Salem flood? Yes: 164 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salem is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Marion County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$49K to the City of Salem for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$3.5M to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds479 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$9K to the City of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.2M to the City of Salem for repairs71 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$386K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$339K to the City of Salem for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2020–2023.
Old photos of Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Salem and its neighbors
Salem has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | C+more damage than 59% | earthquakes | 164 |
| Hayesville | C+more damage than 61% | earthquakes | — |
| Four Corners | C+more damage than 63% | earthquakes | — |
| Keizer | C−more damage than 78% | earthquakes | 25 |
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 Salem 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.
- Salem residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #43 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (65%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 164 claims in Salem since 1981, $3.5M in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Salem 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 Marion County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
Salem is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% 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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $3.5M to the City of Salem for repairs.
Is Salem at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Salem’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.