Enter any address in Multnomah County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
River flooding is the dominant flood character in Multnomah County. Recent events include widespread river flooding in November 2021 due to an atmospheric river, and coastal, river, and urban flooding in January 2021, which also caused landslides and debris flows.
The National Flood Insurance Program data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average water depth of 7.0 feet and an average payout of $14,947. Zone X_SHADED also shows a high average payout of $30,097 with an average water depth of 5.4 feet, and Zone UNKNOWN has an average water depth of 6.9 feet.
Residents in low-lying areas, particularly those near rivers and creeks, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone A, and those with unknown flood zone designations, may be particularly vulnerable to significant water depths and associated damages.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Multnomah County, Oregon has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 (1964–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 10, 2024 |
| Wildfires And Straight-line Winds | Fire | Sep 7, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Eagle Creek Fire | Fire | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 6, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Record And Near Record Snow | Severe Storm | Dec 13, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2003 |
| High Winds, Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Feb 4, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 11, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 12, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 7, 2015 | 1087.00K |
| Flood | Sep 28, 2013 | 30.00K |
| Flood | Jan 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 7, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 2, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 3, 2007 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 11, 2022
Heavy rains from an atmospheric river caused minor flooding and debris flow.
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 — Nov 12, 2021
Heavy rains produced by an atmospheric river brought river flooding to portions of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. In addition, high tide backed up rivers and creeks in low lying areas along the coast, enhancing flooding.
Flash Flood — May 4, 2017
A strong upper-level trough generated enough instability for a few severe thunderstorms to develop across NW Oregon.
Flood — Dec 7, 2015
A moist pacific front produced heavy rainfall across Northwest Oregon which resulted in river flooding, urban flooding, small stream flooding, land slides, and a few sink holes.
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 Multnomah 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 Multnomah 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.