The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world to live — but it is also one of the wettest. Oregon's coastal rivers and streams receive some of the highest rainfall totals in the continental United States, and coastal flooding is a real and recurring risk for many Oregon Coast homeowners. Yet one of the most common and costly misconceptions in insurance is that standard homeowner's insurance covers flooding. It does not.

Understanding FEMA Flood Zones on the Oregon Coast

FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) maps flood risk across the United States and designates flood zones based on the probability of flooding. Properties in high-risk flood zones (designated with the letter "A" or "V") have a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year — known as the "100-year flood" standard. If your property is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage, you are required by law to carry flood insurance.

Many Oregon Coast communities have significant flood zone areas, particularly along rivers, estuaries, and low-lying coastal areas. Brookings, Gold Beach, Bandon, Coos Bay, and Newport all have areas within FEMA flood zones. You can check your property's flood zone status using FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov.

NFIP vs. Private Flood Insurance

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): The federal government's flood insurance program, administered by FEMA. Provides up to $250,000 in building coverage and $100,000 in contents coverage. Available to homeowners in participating communities. Has a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
• Private Flood Insurance: Private carriers now offer flood insurance that can provide higher coverage limits, broader coverage terms, and sometimes lower premiums than NFIP. Private flood insurance has become increasingly available and competitive in recent years.
• Excess Flood Insurance: For high-value homes that need more than the NFIP's $250,000 building limit, excess flood insurance provides additional coverage above the NFIP policy.

Do You Need Flood Insurance Even If You're Not in a Flood Zone?

About 25% of all flood insurance claims come from properties outside of designated high-risk flood zones. Oregon's coastal rivers and streams can flood unexpectedly during heavy rainfall events, and climate change is expanding flood risk in many areas. Even if you are not required to carry flood insurance, it is worth considering if your property is near any body of water or in a low-lying area. Gerald Ross Agency can help you assess your flood risk and determine whether flood insurance makes sense for your property. Learn more about our home insurance offerings.