Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Salem than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Salem 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
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 Salem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Salem’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $761K a year in losses across Salem: $720K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 28.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$4K to the City of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and32 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$150K to the City of Salem for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides16 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$63K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides49 households applied for aid$126K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides4 households applied for aid$173 aid approved$4K to the City of Salem for repairs
Harrison County has had 20 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 Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Get ready for what Salem 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.
- 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 Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Salem since 1979, $205K in all, or 28.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Salem 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 Harrison County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and (2008): 32 households applied for aid, $88K approved, and $150K to the City of Salem for repairs.
Is Salem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Salem’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.