Natural Disasters in Portland, OR
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
96.0
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
97.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
12.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
74.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | 99.0 |
| Heat Wave | 96.6 |
| Ice Storm | 91.4 |
| Cold Wave | 90.1 |
| Volcanic Activity | 89.3 |
| Landslide | 85.8 |
| Lightning | 81.7 |
| Strong Wind | 80.1 |
| Winter Weather | 75.2 |
| Tornado | 53.1 |
| Wildfire | 50.9 |
| Hail | 29.8 |
| Drought | 12.2 |
| Avalanche | 10.2 |
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 OpenFEMATotal Declarations
12
Most Recent
Severe Storm
Apr 2024
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
4 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2024 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Sep 15, 2020 | Fire | WILDFIRES AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Mar 28, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 3, 2017 | Fire | EAGLE CREEK FIRE |
| Feb 17, 2016 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 2, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD AND NEAR RECORD SNOW |
| Sep 7, 2005 | Coastal Storm | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Feb 19, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Feb 9, 1996 | Flood | HIGH WINDS, SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 21, 1972 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Dec 24, 1964 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
346
Total Claims Paid
$4,548,035
Avg Claim Payout
$13,145
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$272,176,720
Disasters with PA
7
Total Projects
578
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4499 | Biological | 293 | $255,574,745 |
| DR-4768 | Severe Storm(s) | 79 | $4,382,082 |
| DR-1510 | Severe Storm(s) | 74 | $4,159,414 |
| DR-1824 | Severe Storm(s) | 88 | $4,111,790 |
| DR-4258 | Severe Storm(s) | 30 | $3,064,894 |
| DR-3228 | Coastal Storm | 13 | $875,760 |
| DR-1632 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $8,036 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
31
Federal Funding
$6,835,604
Properties Protected
42
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
2.91
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 205.6: Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Public Structures - Seismic | 7 | $3,242,821 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 3 | $1,425,496 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $88,757 |
| 103.1: Feasibility, Engineering and Design Studies | 2 | $167,626 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 2 | $179,430 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Portland has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, heat wave, ice storm. The area has had 12 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (4 declarations). 346 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $272,176,720 in public assistance recovery funding. 31 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.