Enter any address in Umatilla County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Umatilla River and its tributaries is a primary flood concern in Umatilla County. Recent events include areal and river flooding in May 2020 due to heavy rain in the Blue Mountains, and significant river flooding in April 2019, driven by high snow water equivalents and rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $18,788 and an average water depth of 0.7 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a notable number of claims, with a higher average payout of $22,016, though a shallower average water depth of 0.2 feet. Residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those near rivers and streams, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Umatilla County, Oregon has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Mountain Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 21, 2024 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 10, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 6, 2019 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2003 |
| Or Bridge Creek Fires 2375 | Fire | Aug 15, 2001 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Land And Mudslides, Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 25, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 28, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 39.70M (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2019 | 5.00M |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2019 | 9.00M |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 28, 2022
Several upper low pressure systems moving across northeast OR in late May produced several rounds of heavy rain in the Blue Mountains and along the foothill locations. Several reports of water over local roadways, washouts of gravel roads, and heavy rain were reported during the day on May 29th.
Flood — May 20, 2020
Heavy rain with QPF amounts of 2-4 inches across the Blue Mountains, Blue Mountain Foothills, and John Day Highlands produced areal and river flooding on May 20th and ending on May 21st. Most of the flooding was minor.
Flood — Feb 6, 2020
Summary : Heavy snow on February 4-5, 2020 was followed by a period of heavy rain, February 5-7. Snow levels rose to near 5000 feet. The heavy rain and snow melt lead to moderate flooding and several landslides along the East Slopes of the Washington Cascades. There was record flooding on several rivers, including the Umatilla, Walla Walla and Touchet rivers with widespread flooding of numer...
Flood — Apr 10, 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 — 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.
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 Umatilla 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 Umatilla 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.