Cox-Williams House · Photo: Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in St. Helens than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Helens gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #107 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 St. Helens 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 St. Helens’ grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Helens, and St. Helens’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #107 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Helens’ residents live in 4 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, St. Helens has more expected damage per building than 75% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across St. Helens: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Helens flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Helens, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $8K
St. Helens isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Helens
Disasters that paid out in St. Helens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Helens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$12K to the City of St. Helens for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides47 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$15K to the City of St. Helens for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2K to the City of St. Helens for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$8K to the City of St. Helens for repairs
Columbia County has had 13 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.
Old photos of St. Helens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Helens archive →St. Helens and its neighbors
St. Helens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia City | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Helens | C−more damage than 82% | earthquakes | 15 |
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 St. Helens 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in St. Helens
Is St. Helens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Helens has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #107 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Helens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in St. Helens since 1980, $221K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is St. Helens 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 Columbia County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Helens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Helens’ 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 St. Helens?
By FEMA money that reached St. Helens, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 47 households applied for aid, $146K approved, and $15K to the City of St. Helens for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $8K.
Is St. Helens at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and St. Helens’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Helens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Helens’ 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.