Baker County, Oregon
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Baker County, Oregon has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 52% of US counties. It ranks 23rd of 36 counties in Oregon. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, wildfires and avalanches. FEMA estimates about $12 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $732 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (3 major disasters). The most recent was in July 2026 (Fox Fire). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (92 policies).
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Baker County
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 47.8 | $5M | ||
| Wildfire | 96.1 | $4M | ||
| Avalanche | 91.2 | $2M | ||
| Earthquake | 78.7 | $1M | ||
| Heat wave | 40.3 | $185K | ||
| Cold wave | 17.0 | $140K | ||
| Winter weather | 75.4 | $135K | ||
| Hail | 38.3 | $134K | ||
| Lightning | 23.4 | $64K | ||
| Strong wind | 10.0 | $58K | ||
| Tornado | 5.9 | $21K | ||
| Landslide | 83.1 | $19K | ||
| Ice storm | 19.7 | $13K | ||
| Drought | 16.7 | $1K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 19.2 | $0 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is relatively moderate in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Baker County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Oregon also had 42 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1955
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 93 storm reports in Baker County since 1955, with 0 deaths and 3 injuries and about $270,000 in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F0 tornado on May 11, 1995.
Strongest tornadoes
| Date | Strength | Near | Hurt / killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 1995 | F0 | – | 0 / 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | F0 | Halfway | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 30, 1997 | F0 | Huntington | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | F0 | Baker | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 16, 1975 | n/a | – | 0 / 0 |
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 8, 2017 | Flash Flood | Unity Ellingson Arpt | $250K |
| Jun 2, 2010 | Flood | Richland | $20K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 31, 2025. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Baker County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Baker County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 8,725 housing units.
Compare in Oregon
All 36 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | Earthquake | |
| Washington County | Earthquake | |
| Clackamas County | Earthquake | |
| Lane County | Inland flooding | |
| Marion County | Earthquake | |
| Jackson County | Inland flooding | |
| Deschutes County | Inland flooding | |
| Linn County | Earthquake |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Malheur County | 5 | |
| Union County | 8 | |
| Washington County, ID | 8 | |
| Wallowa County | 9 | |
| Grant County | 13 | |
| Adams County, ID | 7 |
Common questions about Baker County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Baker County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Baker County, about $4.9 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Wildfire is second at $3.9 million.
How many federal disasters has Baker County had?
Baker County has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 3 major disasters. The most recent was Fox Fire in July 2026.
Is Baker County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 23rd highest of 36 in Oregon. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Baker County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Baker County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Baker County had?
NOAA records list 5 tornadoes in Baker County since 1950. The strongest was an F0 tornado on May 11, 1995. The weather service has also logged 26 hail reports and 15 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.