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Josephine County, Oregon

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Moderate overall risk
10th of 36highest risk in Oregon
$70Mexpected losses a year
23federal declarations
1 in 100homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

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

$32 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • 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.
$22.8 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 60 years.
  • Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
  • Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.

Earthquake

Moderate
$12.4 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 65 years.
  • Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
  • Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingModerate90.2
$32M
WildfireHigh99.2
$23M
EarthquakeModerate95.2
$12M
Heat waveModerate89.4
$2M
Winter weatherModerate80.0
$172K
LightningLow29.9
$88K
Strong windVery Low11.3
$69K
HailVery Low18.2
$53K
LandslideLow85.7
$27K
TornadoVery Low4.9
$15K
Ice stormVery Low13.0
$6K
Cold waveVery Low3.3
$628
AvalancheVery Low45.2
$301
DroughtVery Low14.1
$206
Volcanic activityVery Low12.4
$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

Fire13
Severe Storm5
Flood3
Drought1
Coastal Storm1

Most recent

Aug 14, 2026Fielder Mountain FireFire management
Jul 22, 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Sep 15, 2020Wildfires and Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
Sep 10, 2020Slater FireFire management
Sep 3, 2018Hugo Road FireFire management
Jul 19, 2018Garner Fire ComplexFire management
Aug 8, 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Jan 25, 2017Severe Winter Storm and FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 31, 2016Gold Canyon FireFire management
Aug 9, 2015Krauss Lane FireFire management
Show all 23
Aug 2, 2013Brimstone FireFire management
Jul 28, 2013Douglas Fire ComplexFire management
Jul 19, 2013Pacifica FireFire management
Mar 20, 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Sep 7, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Aug 25, 2005Deer Creek FireFire management
Aug 4, 2004Or-Redwood Highway Wildfire-08-04-2004Fire management
Jul 28, 2002Or - Biscuit Fire - 07/28/02Fire management
Jan 23, 1997Severe Winter Storms, Land and Mudslides, FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 9, 1996High Winds, Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 29, 1977DroughtEmergency
Jan 25, 1974Severe Storms, Snowmelt & FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 24, 1964Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster

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.

0tornadoes
9hail reports, largest 1.75 inches
12damaging thunderstorm winds
13floods and flash floods

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Nov 29, 2012FloodGrants Pass$4M
May 3, 2026Thunderstorm WindFruitdale$68K
Jul 11, 2007LightningGrants Pass$60K
May 3, 2026Thunderstorm WindWilderville$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 ›
1%of homes have federal flood insurance (393 policies)
15.6%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$686,970paid on 81 flood claims since 1978
1997costliest year, with $335,262 paid

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

$404,300median home value (Oregon $477,600, US $332,700)
1982median year homes were built (Oregon 1981, US 1980)
48%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
14.2%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

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 countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Multnomah CountyHighEarthquake
Washington CountyHighEarthquake
Clackamas CountyHighEarthquake
Lane CountyHighInland flooding
Marion CountyHighEarthquake
Jackson CountyModerateInland flooding
Deschutes CountyModerateInland flooding
Linn CountyModerateEarthquake

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Jackson CountyModerate19
Douglas CountyModerate24
Siskiyou County, CAModerate21
Del Norte County, CAHigh18
Curry CountyModerate14

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.