Photo: publichall at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sutherlin than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutherlin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #88 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sutherlin 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 Sutherlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sutherlin, and Sutherlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #88 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sutherlin’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, Sutherlin has more expected damage per building than 62% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Sutherlin: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sutherlin flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sutherlin. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sutherlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sutherlin
Disasters that paid out in Sutherlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sutherlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Sutherlin for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds734 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$27K to the City of Sutherlin for repairs
Douglas County has had 18 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Douglas County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Sutherlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sutherlin archive →Get ready for what Sutherlin 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 Sutherlin
Is Sutherlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutherlin has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #88 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sutherlin 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 Douglas County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sutherlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sutherlin’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 Sutherlin?
By FEMA money that reached Sutherlin, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): $32K to the City of Sutherlin for repairs.
Is Sutherlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Sutherlin’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sutherlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sutherlin’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.