Enter any address in Josephine County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Rogue and Applegate Rivers is the dominant flood character for Josephine County, OR. Between 1996 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 16 flood events and 4 flash flood events in the county. For example, sustained precipitation led to widespread flooding in January 2012, and the Rogue River at Grants Pass exceeded flood stage on December 30, 2005.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,855 and an average water depth of 3.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims, with a higher average payout of $18,017, though with a significantly deeper average water depth of 16.7 feet. Homeowners in or near riverine areas, and those in designated flood zones, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
Josephine County, Oregon has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 13, 2025 |
| Slater Fire | Fire | Sep 9, 2020 |
| Wildfires And Straight-line Winds | Fire | Sep 7, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hugo Road Fire | Fire | Sep 2, 2018 |
| Garner Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 18, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 14, 2016 |
| Gold Canyon Fire | Fire | Aug 30, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 17, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 14, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 29, 2012 | 4.00M |
| Flood | Nov 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 30, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Dec 26, 2005 | 588.2K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 16, 2004 | — |
Flood — Jan 17, 2016
Heavy rain brought flooding to some areas of southwest Oregon.
Flood — Dec 14, 2016
Heavy rain brought some areal flooding to parts of southwest Oregon.
Flood — Feb 6, 2015
Heavy rain brought flooding to portions of Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson Counties.
Flood — Mar 30, 2012
Heavy rain brought another round of areal flooding to southwest Oregon.
Flood — Nov 29, 2012
Another round of heavy rain impacted the already soaked south Coast...bringing flooding to the 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 Josephine 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 Josephine 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.