Flooding in Corvallis: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Corvallis, in the middle of Oregon's Willamette Valley, is a lively college town with natural charm, but its geography places it at risk of flooding. The Willamette River flows right through the city, and heavy rain, snowmelt from the Cascades, and urban runoff all have the potential to send water levels up in a hurry. Even districts that are not directly on the river have flooded because of drainage and waterlogged soils.

According to FEMA, thousands of properties in Benton County, including Corvallis, fall within mapped flood zones. And remember: standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. With FEMA data indicating that just a single inch of water entering your home has the potential to cause upwards of $25,000 in damage, having flood insurance is a prudent way to shield your home and finances.

Flood Zones in Corvallis

Similar to other Oregon neighborhoods, Corvallis contains both high-risk and moderate-to-low risk FEMA flood zones. If your property is in Zone AE or Zone A on the Willamette River or Marys River, flood insurance is usually mandatory if a federally insured mortgage applies.
Even residences in Zone X, which FEMA classifies as lower-risk, are not exempt. In fact, according to FEMA statistics, roughly 40% of all flood insurance claims nationally originate outside of high-risk zones.