Enter any address in Clackamas County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and localized flooding from heavy rainfall events are the dominant flood character in Clackamas County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 39 flood and flash flood events, resulting in two fatalities. For example, heavy rains in January 2021 contributed to river flooding and a debris flow that caused a fatality. Similarly, an atmospheric river event in April 2019, combined with snowmelt, led to flooding along area rivers.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which typically represents areas of higher flood risk, have had the most claims (433) with an average payout of $27,004 and an average water depth of 6.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X, including X_SHADED and X_UNSHADED, have also experienced significant claims, with average payouts ranging from $20,038 to $29,120 and average water depths between 5.9 and 7.6 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in any flood zone with a history of claims and significant water depth, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clackamas County, Oregon has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 38 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 10, 2024 |
| Milo Mciver Fire | Fire | Sep 10, 2022 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Clakamas County Fire Complex | Fire | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Riverside Fire | Fire | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Beachie Creek Lionshead Fire Complex | Fire | Sep 7, 2020 |
| Wildfires And Straight-line Winds | Fire | Sep 7, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2015 | 128.00K |
| Flood | Dec 12, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 7, 2015 | 381.00K |
| Flood | Dec 21, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flood — Feb 25, 2025
A strengthening upper-level low and an associated strong low pressure system at the surface tracked just off the Pacific Northwest coast leading to a period of high winds. Warmer temperatures, additional rainfall and prior snowfall to this event facilitated localized flooding as well. The frontal passage during the early afternoon hours of Feb 24th allowed for a period of isolated severe thunde...
Flood — Jun 18, 2023
Heavy rain due to convective showers resulted in minor flooding of roads in Clackamas County.
Flood — Jan 13, 2021
A series of slow moving fronts brought periods of heavy rain along with strong winds. This resulted in high surf; coastal, river and urban flooding; landslides; and debris flows. As the front moved inland early on the 13th, a debris flow resulted in a fatality in the Columbia River Gorge. The front brought a burst of 35-50 mph winds to the Willamette Valley and southwest Washington interior r...
Flood — Dec 20, 2020
A series of strong Pacific fronts moved across the region bringing high winds to the coast with heavy rain across much of the area. The heavy rains resulted in flooding of some coastal rivers as well as small stream flooding and a debris flow.
Flood — Apr 8, 2019
A particularly strong atmospheric river took aim for the south Willamette Valley, sitting over areas south of Salem for two days, producing anywhere from 2.5 to 5 inches of rain over a 48 hour period. Some areas in the Cascades and Cascade Foothills saw 5 to 7 inches of rain over that 48 hour period. Heavy rain combined with snow melt from all the snow from a few weeks prior in this same area...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Clackamas County, Oregon:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Clackamas County, Oregon that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.