Photo: Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Tillamook than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tillamook gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #128 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 182 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 stands out about Tillamook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tillamook 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 Tillamook’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tillamook, and Tillamook’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #128 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tillamook’s residents live in 2 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, Tillamook has more expected damage per building than 90% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Tillamook: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tillamook flood? Yes: 182 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tillamook, from FEMA’s records: 82.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm19 claims · $562K
Tillamook is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tillamook County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tillamook
Disasters that paid out in Tillamook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tillamook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Tillamook for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows$10K to the City of Tillamook for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides157 households applied for aid$205K aid approved$49K to the City of Tillamook for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$18K to the City of Tillamook for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Tillamook for repairs
Tillamook County has had 20 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tillamook County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Tillamook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tillamook archive →Tillamook and its neighbors
Tillamook has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tillamook | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 182 |
| Fairview | — | 526 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Tillamook 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.
- Tillamook residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tillamook
Is Tillamook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tillamook has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #128 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tillamook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 182 claims in Tillamook since 1980, $8.2M in all, or 82.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (19).
Is Tillamook 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 Tillamook County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tillamook?
Tillamook is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Tillamook?
By FEMA money that reached Tillamook, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 157 households applied for aid, $205K approved, and $49K to the City of Tillamook for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 19 paid, $562K.
Is Tillamook at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Tillamook’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tillamook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tillamook’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.