Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Sheridan faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #130 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1982.
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 Sheridan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sheridan 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 Sheridan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheridan, and Sheridan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #130 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sheridan’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, Sheridan has more expected damage per building than 91% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Sheridan: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheridan flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheridan, from FEMA’s records: 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm30 claims · $627K
Sheridan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Yamhill County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheridan
Disasters that paid out in Sheridan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sheridan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Sheridan for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Sheridan for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides60 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$20K to the City of Sheridan for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
Yamhill County has 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yamhill County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Sheridan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheridan archive →Get ready for what Sheridan 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.
- Sheridan residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sheridan
Is Sheridan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #130 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sheridan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Sheridan since 1982, $754K in all, or 26.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (30).
Is Sheridan 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 Yamhill County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sheridan?
Sheridan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Sheridan?
By FEMA money that reached Sheridan, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 60 households applied for aid, $146K approved, and $20K to the City of Sheridan for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 30 paid, $627K.
Is Sheridan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Sheridan’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheridan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheridan’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.