On FEMA’s figures, Portland faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #549 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 100 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 stands out about Portland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Portland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Portland’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Portland, and Portland’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #549 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Portland’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Portland has more expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.6M a year in losses across Portland: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Portland flood? Yes: 100 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Portland, from FEMA’s records: 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey7 claims · $50K
- Hurricane Allen7 claims · $117K
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $17K
Portland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Patricio County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Portland
Disasters that paid out in Portland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Portland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms277 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$108K to the City of Portland for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,167 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$2.4M to the City of Portland for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2008Hurricane Ike$35K to the City of Portland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$55K to the City of Portland for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding88 households applied for aid$162K aid approved16 flood claims paid that year
San Patricio County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. 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 San Patricio County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Portland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Portland archive →Portland and its neighbors
Portland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 100 |
| Corpus Christi | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 2,623 |
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 Portland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Portland
Is Portland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #549 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Portland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 100 claims in Portland since 1980, $1.2M in all, or 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (7).
Is Portland 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 San Patricio County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Portland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Portland’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 Portland?
By FEMA money that reached Portland, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 3,167 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $2.4M to the City of Portland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 7 paid, $50K.
Is Portland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Portland’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Portland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Portland’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.