Photo: Tedder · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Stayton than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stayton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #112 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Stayton 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 Stayton’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stayton, and Stayton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #112 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stayton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Stayton has more expected damage per building than 79% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Stayton: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stayton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stayton, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stayton 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stayton
Disasters that paid out in Stayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds86 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$2K to the City of Stayton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$14K to the City of Stayton 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 Stayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stayton archive →Get ready for what Stayton 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 Stayton
Is Stayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stayton has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #112 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (32%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Stayton since 2012, $8K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Stayton 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 Stayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stayton’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 Stayton?
By FEMA money that reached Stayton, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2020): 86 households applied for aid, $21K approved.
Is Stayton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Stayton’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stayton’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.