Photo: M.O. Stevens · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Tigard than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tigard gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #79 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Tigard 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 Tigard’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tigard, and Tigard’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C #79 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tigard’s residents live in 15 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, Tigard has more expected damage per building than 55% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.7M a year in losses across Tigard: $22.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tigard flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tigard, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $11K
Tigard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tigard
Disasters that paid out in Tigard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tigard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$126K to the City of Tigard for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$44K to the City of Tigard for repairs
Washington County has had 11 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2020–2024.
Old photos of Tigard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tigard archive →Tigard and its neighbors
Tigard is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Mountain | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tualatin | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Beaverton | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 31 |
| Garden Home-Whitford | Cmore damage than 66% | earthquakes | 41 |
| Metzger | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | — |
| Portland | Cmore damage than 69% | earthquakes | 167 |
| Tigard | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 13 |
| Durham | C−more damage than 78% | earthquakes | — |
| King City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Tigard 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 Tigard
Is Tigard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tigard has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #79 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 Tigard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Tigard since 1996, $177K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Tigard 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tigard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tigard’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 Tigard?
By FEMA money that reached Tigard, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $126K to the City of Tigard for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Tigard at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Tigard’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tigard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tigard’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.