Photo: James Steakley · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Oregon faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #98 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1996.
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 Oregon 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Oregon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oregon, and Oregon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #98 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oregon’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Oregon has less expected damage per building than 73% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Oregon: $778K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oregon flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oregon, from FEMA’s records: 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oregon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dane County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oregon
Disasters that paid out in Oregon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oregon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Oregon for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Oregon for repairs
- 2000Snow$6K to the Town of Oregon for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Oregon for repairs
Dane County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Oregon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oregon archive →Oregon and its neighbors
Oregon is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oregon | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Oregon | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Rutland | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brooklyn | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brooklyn | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Oregon 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Oregon
Is Oregon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oregon has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #98 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oregon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Oregon since 1996, $197K in all, or 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oregon 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 Dane County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oregon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oregon’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 Oregon?
By FEMA money that reached Oregon, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $10K to the Town of Oregon for repairs.
Is Oregon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Oregon’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oregon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oregon’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.