Gordon House · Photo: Andrew Parodi at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Silverton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silverton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #18 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1996.
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 Silverton 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 Silverton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silverton, and Silverton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 39% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #18 of 142 in Oregon; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Silverton’s residents live in 3 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, Silverton has less expected damage per building than 88% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Silverton: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silverton flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Silverton, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Silverton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Silverton
Disasters that paid out in Silverton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Silverton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$251K to the City of Silverton for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds52 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$16K to the City of Silverton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Silverton for repairs
Marion County has had 10 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 Marion County, 2020–2023.
Old photos of Silverton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silverton archive →Get ready for what Silverton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Silverton
Is Silverton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silverton has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #18 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Silverton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Silverton since 1996, $70K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Silverton 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 Silverton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Silverton’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 Silverton?
By FEMA money that reached Silverton, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $251K to the City of Silverton for repairs.
Is Silverton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Silverton’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silverton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silverton’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.