Flooding in Tillamook: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Tillamook is renowned for its dairies, rivers, and coastal scenery, but it also carries one of the highest flood hazards in Oregon. Sandwiched between the Tillamook Bay, the Trask, Wilson, and Kilchis rivers, and bounded by low-lying agricultural land, the city has a long record of damaging floods. Winter storms, tidal flooding, and heavy rain can easily inundate homes and businesses.

Studies indicate that close to 30% of properties in Tillamook run the risk of flooding as of today. And, data from FEMA suggests that just a single inch of water can account for as much as $25,000 in property damage. However, standard home insurance doesn't cover this type of loss. That's why having private flood insurance in Tillamook, OR, is a necessary measure to safeguard property and peace of mind.

Flood Zones in Tillamook

Substantial areas of Tillamook are located in FEMA-defined Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), such as Zone AE and Zone VE around Tillamook Bay. These properties have a 1% or more annual chance of being flooded, and federally insured mortgages mandate the purchase of flood insurance.
However, it's not only the bayfront residences that are threatened. Even those in Zone X (moderate-to-low hazard) have suffered from heavy rains and overflowing rivers. Nationally, FEMA statistics reveal that 40% of flood insurance claims are filed outside of high-risk zones, which indicates that residing in a moderate or low-risk zone is by no means an indicator of safety.