Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Shady Cove than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shady Cove gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #131 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then wildfire (32%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Shady Cove 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
Wildfire
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 Shady Cove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shady Cove, and Shady Cove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #131 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shady Cove’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, Shady Cove has more expected damage per building than 92% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Shady Cove: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shady Cove flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shady Cove, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shady Cove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Shady Cove
Disasters that paid out in Shady Cove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shady Cove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$9K to the City of Shady Cove for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Jackson County has had 7 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jackson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Shady Cove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shady Cove archive →Get ready for what Shady Cove 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Shady Cove
Is Shady Cove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shady Cove has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #131 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and wildfire (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shady Cove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Shady Cove since 1981, $42K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Shady Cove 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 Jackson County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shady Cove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shady Cove’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 Shady Cove?
By FEMA money that reached Shady Cove, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2005): $9K to the City of Shady Cove for repairs.
Is Shady Cove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Shady Cove’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shady Cove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shady Cove’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.