Enter any address in Marion County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and localized flooding from heavy rainfall are the primary flood concerns in Marion County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA has recorded 23 flood events. For example, in April 2019, an atmospheric river brought heavy rain and snowmelt, causing flooding along area rivers, including the Willamette. More recently, in January 2024, minor flooding was reported on the Tualatin, Pudding, and Luckiamute Rivers.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $15,260 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet. While Zone X properties have seen higher average payouts ($18,391), the average water depth was lower at 3.3 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marion County, Oregon has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database. The county has received 15 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 (1964–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Fire | Fire | Aug 23, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 17, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Record And Near Record Snow | Severe Storm | Dec 13, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 20, 2012 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Jan 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 18, 2011 | 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 — Jan 28, 2024
Minor flooding at Tualatin River at Farmington, Pudding River at Aurora, and Luckiamute River near Suver.
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 10, 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...
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 Marion 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 Marion 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.