Flooding in Ontario: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ontario, OR, sits on the Snake River, which is both a natural resource as well as a major flood risk. Because the city is low-lying and gets a lot of snowmelt from the Owyhee Mountains and heavy rain in the spring and summer, flooding can happen quickly and without much warning. Ice jams in the winter are also a special danger because they can block the river and push water into homes.

According to FEMA, just one inch of water inside a home can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Yet many people in Ontario mistakenly assume their homeowners' insurance covers floods, but it doesn’t. To fully protect your home, business, or rental property, you need a separate flood insurance policy.

Flood Zones in Ontario

Ontario has a combination of high-risk FEMA flood zones and moderate-risk areas. Those closest to the Snake River, Malheur River, and smaller creeks tend to be in Zone AE, where flood insurance is required for homes with federally insured mortgages.
But flooding is not limited to the riverbanks. Zone X, which is moderate to low risk, also has flood occurrences due to heavy rain, snow melt, or failure of drainage. FEMA states that almost 40% of nationwide flood claims are outside high-risk areas, making optional coverage a wise decision for residents in Ontario.