Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Waldport than in 94% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waldport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1981.
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 Waldport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waldport 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
Tsunamis
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 Waldport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waldport, and Waldport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 38%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waldport’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Waldport: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waldport flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waldport, from FEMA’s records: 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Waldport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waldport
Disasters that paid out in Waldport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waldport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$37K to the City of Waldport for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$15K to the City of Waldport for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Waldport for repairs
Lincoln County has had 19 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 Lincoln County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Waldport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waldport archive →Waldport and its neighbors
Waldport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waldport | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Bayshore | — | 925 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 Waldport 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Waldport
Is Waldport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waldport has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waldport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Waldport since 1981, $84K in all, or 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Waldport 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 Lincoln County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waldport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waldport’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 Waldport?
By FEMA money that reached Waldport, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $37K to the City of Waldport for repairs.
Is Waldport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Waldport’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waldport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waldport’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.