Daniel Knight Warren House · Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Warrenton faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrenton gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (45%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Warrenton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Warrenton’s grade
Coastal flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warrenton, and Warrenton’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 30%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #142 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warrenton’s residents live in 3 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, Warrenton has more expected damage per building than 100% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.1M a year in losses across Warrenton: $8.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warrenton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warrenton, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Warrenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clatsop County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warrenton
Disasters that paid out in Warrenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warrenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$17K to the City of Warrenton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides233 households applied for aid$135K aid approved$72K to the City of Warrenton for repairs
Clatsop County has had 15 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 Warrenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warrenton archive →Get ready for what Warrenton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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 Warrenton
Is Warrenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warrenton has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (45%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warrenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Warrenton since 1979, $11K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Warrenton 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 Clatsop County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warrenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warrenton’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 Warrenton?
By FEMA money that reached Warrenton, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 233 households applied for aid, $135K approved, and $72K to the City of Warrenton for repairs.
Is Warrenton at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Warrenton’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warrenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warrenton’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.