Josephine County, Oregon
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Josephine County, Oregon has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 90% of US counties. It ranks 10th of 36 counties in Oregon. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. FEMA estimates about $70 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $795 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (9 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2026 (Fielder Mountain Fire). About 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (393 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $687,000 on 81 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Josephine 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.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 90.2 | $32M | ||
| Wildfire | 99.2 | $23M | ||
| Earthquake | 95.2 | $12M | ||
| Heat wave | 89.4 | $2M | ||
| Winter weather | 80.0 | $172K | ||
| Lightning | 29.9 | $88K | ||
| Strong wind | 11.3 | $69K | ||
| Hail | 18.2 | $53K | ||
| Landslide | 85.7 | $27K | ||
| Tornado | 4.9 | $15K | ||
| Ice storm | 13.0 | $6K | ||
| Cold wave | 3.3 | $628 | ||
| Avalanche | 45.2 | $301 | ||
| Drought | 14.1 | $206 | ||
| Volcanic activity | 12.4 | $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 Josephine County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 23
Oregon also had 42 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1969
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 69 storm reports in Josephine County since 1969, with 0 deaths and 2 injuries and about $4.1 million in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2012 | Flood | Grants Pass | $4M |
| May 3, 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Fruitdale | $68K |
| Jul 11, 2007 | Lightning | Grants Pass | $60K |
| May 3, 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wilderville | $10K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through May 3, 2026. 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 Josephine 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 Josephine 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; 39,503 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 19 | |
| Douglas County | 24 | |
| Siskiyou County, CA | 21 | |
| Del Norte County, CA | 18 | |
| Curry County | 14 |
Cities in Josephine County
Common questions about Josephine County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Josephine County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Josephine County, about $32 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Wildfire is second at $22.8 million.
How many federal disasters has Josephine County had?
Josephine County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 9 major disasters. The most recent was Fielder Mountain Fire in August 2026.
Is Josephine County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 10th 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 Josephine County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 100 homes in Josephine 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 Josephine County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Josephine County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 9 hail reports and 13 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.