Oregon Environment & Hazard Risk
6 counties rated high or very high risk. 11,166 storm events since 1996, #41 among states.
- Expected yearly loss
- $2.5B
- $598 per person
- Storm events since 1996
- 11,166
- Most often high wind
- Flood insurance policies
- 16,155
- $110M in claims paid
- Superfund sites
- 21
- 275 toxic release facilities
Risk by county
FEMA National Risk Index rating, highest risk first
| County | Overall risk | Top hazard | Flood policies | Flood claims paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | High | Earthquake | 1,087 | $4.6M |
| Lane County | High | Earthquake | 2,273 | $4.2M |
| Washington County | High | Earthquake | 1,044 | $5.5M |
| Marion County | High | Earthquake | 1,169 | $6M |
| Clatsop County | High | Tsunami | 1,003 | $2M |
| Clackamas County | High | Earthquake | 1,263 | $24.6M |
| Douglas County | Moderate | Wildfire | 883 | $3.9M |
| Jackson County | Moderate | Wildfire | 1,010 | $2.5M |
| Coos County | Moderate | Earthquake | 223 | $3.3M |
| Josephine County | Moderate | Wildfire | 393 | $688K |
| Lincoln County | Moderate | Earthquake | 1,126 | $6.3M |
| Linn County | Moderate | Earthquake | 511 | $1.8M |
| Curry County | Moderate | Earthquake | 144 | $1.3M |
| Deschutes County | Moderate | Wildfire | 149 | $186K |
| Benton County | Moderate | Landslide | 597 | $544K |
| Yamhill County | Moderate | Earthquake | 355 | $1.2M |
| Umatilla County | Moderate | Wildfire | 213 | $1.8M |
| Tillamook County | Moderate | Earthquake | 1,087 | $15.2M |
| Klamath County | Low | Earthquake | 51 | $207K |
| Polk County | Low | Earthquake | 359 | $852K |
| Columbia County | Low | Earthquake | 467 | $21M |
| Wasco County | Low | Wildfire | 45 | $93.8K |
| Baker County | Low | Wildfire | 92 | $4,733 |
| Union County | Low | Wildfire | 80 | $165K |
| Malheur County | Very Low | Wildfire | 62 | $184K |
| Wallowa County | Very Low | Wildfire | 44 | $17.5K |
| Crook County | Very Low | Wildfire | 190 | $466K |
| Grant County | Very Low | Wildfire | 38 | $52.6K |
| Hood River County | Very Low | Volcanic activity | 23 | $29.6K |
| Jefferson County | Very Low | Wildfire | 64 | $12.7K |
| Morrow County | Very Low | Wildfire | 32 | $15.6K |
| Harney County | Very Low | Wildfire | 37 | $564K |
| Lake County | Very Low | Wildfire | 29 | $151K |
| Wheeler County | Very Low | Wildfire | 7 | $8,765 |
| Sherman County | Very Low | Wildfire | 1 | $40.7K |
| Gilliam County | Very Low | Wildfire | 4 | $1,156 |
Storm events by type
Since 1996: 410 deaths, $5B in property and crop damage
- High Wind3,042 · 32 deaths
- Heavy Snow2,047 · 7 deaths
- Frost/Freeze893 · 1 death
- Hail757 · 1 death
- Wildfire744 · 16 deaths
- Flood713 · 22 deaths
- Winter Storm489 · 18 deaths
- Thunderstorm Wind463 · 4 deaths
- Heavy Rain325 · 3 deaths
- Extreme Cold/Wind Chill195 · 1 death
- Excessive Heat174 · 167 deaths
- High Surf132 · 29 deaths
Events per year
Most damaging storms
Since 2017, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage
- High Wind61 kt wind09/08/2020
North Oregon Cascades Foothills
5 deaths, $2B damage
What happened
Fairly widespread tree damage, and power outages in the area caused by down trees, power lines. Many areas of wind damage subsequently burned.
- High Wind57 kt wind09/08/2020
North Oregon Cascades
$1B damage
What happened
The Horse Creek RAWS (HSFO3) recorded a peak gust of 66 mph.
- Excessive Heat06/26/2021
Greater Portland Metro Area
93 deaths, $100K damage
What happened
Record breaking temperatures for 3 days in a row. Portland International recorded high temperatures of 108, 112, and 116 F (breaking its previous all time record of 107), and low temperatures of 70, 73, and 75 F. The Oregon State Police and Oregon Medical Examiner reported 67 deaths in Multnomah County from the heat, but it is suspected this fatality count is closer to 71. There were also reports of roads buckling due to heat. Cooling shelters were opened and many businesses closed and events postponed.
- Strong Wind35 kt wind09/08/2020
Cascades in Lane County
$200M damage
What happened
An IMET on the Holiday Farm Fire took some pictures as well as estimated wind gusts from observations and RAWS sites that are likely lost to the fire. Attached pictures might not be precisely located within the zone as information was taken from unknown exact locations.
- Strong Wind35 kt wind09/08/2020
Cascade Foothills in Lane County
$200M damage
What happened
An IMET on the Holiday Farm Fire took some pictures as well as estimated wind gusts from observations and RAWS sites that are likely lost to the fire. Attached pictures might not be precisely located within the zone as information was taken from unknown exact locations.
- Excessive Heat06/26/2021
Central Willamette Valley
18 deaths
What happened
Temperatures across the area warmed into the 100s to mid 110s over a three day period. Record breaking temperatures up to 117 degrees were recorded in Salem, OR. A total of 18 heat related deaths were reported, including two middle aged men who drowned in the Willamette River on Saturday, June 26.
Flood insurance
National Flood Insurance Program policies and claims
16,155 homes in Oregon have flood insurance, about 1.1% of residential buildings. In high-risk flood zones, 10,330 of 41,676 homes (25%) are insured.
- Flooding$37M · 1,926 claims
- Winter storm$23M · 537 claims
Drinking water
939 community water systems serve about 3,750,151 people
Since 2021, 236 systems reported 677 health-based violations. 191 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report. These had the most:
- London Water Co-OpServes 63 · Surface water · Local government55 health violations+107 monitoring or reporting
- Mckee Bridge Mobile Home ParkServes 40 · Groundwater · Private29 health violations+36 monitoring or reporting
- Skyview Acres Water CompanyServes 200 · Purchased surface water · Private27 health violations+10 monitoring or reporting
- Weiss Estates Water SystemServes 36 · Surface water · Private26 health violations+25 monitoring or reporting
- Garden Valley Water AssociationServes 84 · Surface water · Private25 health violations+28 monitoring or reporting
- Golf MhpServes 60 · Groundwater · Private25 health violations+46 monitoring or reporting
- Galice Subdivision Water CoServes 33 · Surface water · Local government22 health violations+1,149 monitoring or reporting
- Cascade Gorge PropertiesServes 33 · Surface water · Private20 health violations+169 monitoring or reporting
Select a county above to see every system that serves it.
Climate in the largest cities
1991-2020 normals from the nearest NOAA weather station
Pollution sites
21 Superfund sites and 275 toxic release facilities
Superfund sites
- Astoria Marine Construction CompanyProposed NPL Site, Astoria
- Black Butte MineFinal NPL Site, Cottage Grove
- Bradford IslandFinal NPL Site, Cascade Locks
- Formosa MineFinal NPL Site, Riddle
- Fremont National Forest/White King and Lucky Lass Uranium Mines (Usda)Final NPL Site, Lakeview
- Mccormick & Baxter Creosoting co. (Portland Plant)Final NPL Site, Portland
- North Ridge EstatesFinal NPL Site, Klamath Falls
- Northwest Pipe & Casing/Hall Process CompanyFinal NPL Site, Clackamas
Largest toxic releases
- Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest Inc.6.4 million lbs, Arlington
- Dyno Nobel- St.helens Plant6.3 million lbs, Deer Island
- Cascade Steel Rolling Mills Inc1.9 million lbs, Mcminnville
- Pacific Cast Technologies Inc1.1 million lbs, Albany
- Ati Specialty Alloys & Components LLC1.0 million lbs, Albany
- Cascade Pacific Pulp Halsey Pulp Mill998,732 lbs, Halsey
- Georgia-Pacific Toledo LLC921,522 lbs, Toledo
- Pcc Structurals Lpc Titanium Business Ops684,239 lbs, Milwaukie
Facilities in Oregon reported 23.9 million lbs of toxic releases in 2024, 11.2 million lbs of it into the air.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the biggest natural hazard in Oregon?
- By expected annual loss, earthquake costs the most in Oregon ($1.2B a year), according to FEMA's National Risk Index.
- How many storms hit Oregon each year?
- NOAA recorded 11,166 storm events in Oregon since 1996, about 360 a year. The most common type is high wind.
- How many homes in Oregon have flood insurance?
- 16,155 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Oregon. Since 1978 the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $110M on 5,987 claims here.
- How many Superfund sites are in Oregon?
- Oregon has 21 Superfund sites on or deleted from EPA's National Priorities List.
Source: FEMA, NOAA, EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch each county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.