Photo: Jeff Muceus from Gresham, Oregon, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Troutdale than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Troutdale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #66 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (49%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Troutdale 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 Troutdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Troutdale, and Troutdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 49% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #66 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Troutdale’s residents live in 7 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, Troutdale has less expected damage per building than 54% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Troutdale: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Troutdale flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Troutdale, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Troutdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Multnomah County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Troutdale
Disasters that paid out in Troutdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Troutdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Troutdale for repairs
Multnomah County has had 8 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 Multnomah County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Troutdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Troutdale archive →Troutdale and its neighbors
Troutdale is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gresham | C+more damage than 62% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Fairview | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Troutdale | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wood Village | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 1 |
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 Troutdale 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.
- Troutdale 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 Troutdale
Is Troutdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Troutdale has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #66 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Troutdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Troutdale since 1980, $55K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Troutdale 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 Multnomah County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Troutdale?
Troutdale 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 Troutdale?
By FEMA money that reached Troutdale, Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $19K to the City of Troutdale for repairs.
Is Troutdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Troutdale’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Troutdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Troutdale’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.