Photo: Geirfuglasker · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Vernonia faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernonia gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 218 claims here since 1995.
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 Vernonia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vernonia 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 Vernonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernonia, and Vernonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 20%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Vernonia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Vernonia: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernonia flood? Yes: 218 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernonia, from FEMA’s records: 184.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm149 claims · $12.4M
Vernonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vernonia
Disasters that paid out in Vernonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vernonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$20K to the City of Vernonia for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3K to the City of Vernonia for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$17K to the City of Vernonia for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides524 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$918K to the City of Vernonia for repairs148 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$5K to the City of Vernonia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Columbia County has had 13 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.
Old photos of Vernonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernonia archive →Get ready for what Vernonia 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 Vernonia
Is Vernonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernonia has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (20%). 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 Vernonia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 218 claims in Vernonia since 1995, $13.9M in all, or 184.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (149).
Is Vernonia 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 Columbia County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vernonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernonia’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 Vernonia?
By FEMA money that reached Vernonia, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 524 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $918K to the City of Vernonia for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 149 paid, $12.4M.
Is Vernonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Vernonia’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernonia’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.