Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Yoncalla faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yoncalla gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Yoncalla 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 Yoncalla’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yoncalla, and Yoncalla’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 32% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Yoncalla’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $887K a year in losses across Yoncalla: $572K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yoncalla flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yoncalla, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Yoncalla isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Yoncalla
Disasters that paid out in Yoncalla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yoncalla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$52K to the City of Yoncalla for repairs
Douglas County has had 18 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Douglas County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Yoncalla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yoncalla archive →Get ready for what Yoncalla 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 Yoncalla
Is Yoncalla at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yoncalla has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (32%). 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 Yoncalla flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Yoncalla since 2005, $21K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Yoncalla 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 Douglas County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Yoncalla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Yoncalla’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 Yoncalla?
By FEMA money that reached Yoncalla, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): $52K to the City of Yoncalla for repairs.
Is Yoncalla at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Yoncalla’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yoncalla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yoncalla’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.