Natural Disasters in Merlin, OR

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

90.2

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

87.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

66.4

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

49.8

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Wildfire99.2Earthquake95.2Heat Wave89.4

Hazard	Risk Score
Wildfire	99.2
Earthquake	95.2
Heat Wave	89.4
Landslide	85.7
Winter Weather	80.0
Avalanche	45.2
Lightning	29.9
Hail	18.2
Drought	14.1
Ice Storm	13.0
Volcanic Activity	12.4
Strong Wind	11.3
Tornado	4.9
Cold Wave	3.3

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Severe Storm

Jul 2025

Most Common Type

Fire

12 declarations

Date	Type	Declaration
Jul 22, 2025	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Sep 15, 2020	Fire	WILDFIRES AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS
Sep 10, 2020	Fire	SLATER FIRE
Mar 28, 2020	Biological	COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020	Biological	COVID-19
Sep 3, 2018	Fire	HUGO ROAD FIRE
Jul 19, 2018	Fire	GARNER FIRE COMPLEX
Aug 8, 2017	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Jan 25, 2017	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING
Aug 31, 2016	Fire	GOLD CANYON FIRE
Aug 9, 2015	Fire	KRAUSS LANE FIRE
Aug 2, 2013	Fire	BRIMSTONE FIRE
Jul 28, 2013	Fire	DOUGLAS FIRE COMPLEX
Jul 19, 2013	Fire	PACIFICA FIRE
Mar 20, 2006	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Sep 7, 2005	Coastal Storm	HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Aug 25, 2005	Fire	DEER CREEK FIRE
Aug 4, 2004	Fire	OR-REDWOOD HIGHWAY WILDFIRE-08-04-2004
Jul 28, 2002	Fire	OR - BISCUIT FIRE - 07/28/02
Jan 23, 1997	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORMS, LAND AND MUDSLIDES, FLOODING

Showing 20 of 24 declarations

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

Total Claims Paid

$687,550

Avg Claim Payout

$8,488

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$8,589,252

Disasters with PA

Total Projects

Disaster	Type	Projects	Federal $
DR-4499	Biological	29	$6,953,988
DR-4296	Severe Storm(s)	4	$1,212,796
DR-1632	Severe Storm(s)	37	$263,091
DR-4562	Wildfire	8	$97,189
DR-4328	Severe Storm(s)	4	$44,036
DR-4881	Flood	2	$18,152

Merlin has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are wildfire, earthquake, heat wave. The area has had 24 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is fire (12 declarations). 81 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $8,589,252 in public assistance recovery funding.