Enter any address in Morrow County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Morrow County, Oregon has recorded 8 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 10 federal disaster declarations, 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Mountain Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 21, 2024 |
| Lone Rock Fire | Fire | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2003 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Land And Mudslides, Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 25, 1996 |
| High Winds, Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 4, 1996 |
| Drought | Drought | Apr 29, 1977 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Dec 24, 1964 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Oct 9, 2018 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2011 | 94.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2011 | 70.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 22, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2005 | 2K |
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2023
An upper shortwave moving across the region on August 7th resulted in convective showers and thunderstorms developing across the forecast area. In the morning, a convective shower moved over the town of Ione, Oregon with a heavy downpour that resulted in flash flooding across the town.
Flood — Apr 9, 2019
Snow water equivalents near 200% of normal in the Blue Mountains coupled with warm temperatures and near record rainfall totals for April produced significant river flooding across eastern Oregon.
Flood — Oct 9, 2018
Moist upslope flow into the Blue Mountains produced heavy rain with rainfall rates of up to one inch per hour and storm total accumulations between one and three inches. Localized flooding was reported near the town of Heppner where water inside a residence forced an evacuation.
Flash Flood — Apr 23, 2012
An upper level disturbance moving north on the back side of an upper level ridge combined with a very moist atmosphere to produce local severe thunderstorms and flooding.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2011
An upper level low pressure system moved over the Pacific Northwest. Moist and unstable conditions ahead of the low triggered widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and isolated large hail. This combined with the abundant spring snow-pack and wet ground to cause flooding and flash flooding. As the upper low brought colder air. late season heavy snow ended the episode in the Blue Mountain...
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 Morrow 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 Morrow 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.