Marion County and Salem in the Willamette Valley were severely impacted by the catastrophic Labor Day 2020 wildfires that forced mass evacuations across western Oregon. The Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires merged into a massive complex that destroyed communities in the foothills east of Salem. The Willamette River creates flooding risk and the county faces Cascadia earthquake exposure.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Wildfire / Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | Earthquake |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone X (Moderate Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 32 |
| Last Major Event | Labor Day Fires (2020) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 4–6 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (503) 588-5359 |
| Emergency Shelters | 18 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-5 North, I-5 South, OR-22 East, OR-99E South |
// County Profile
| County | Marion County OR |
| State | Oregon (OR) |
| Population | 345,920 |
| Area | 1194 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone X (Moderate Risk) |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Oregon Counties
Coos County OR
Earthquake / Tsunami
7/10
Moderate
Lincoln County OR
Earthquake / Tsunami
7/10
Moderate
Multnomah County OR
Earthquake / Flooding
7/10
High
Jackson County OR
Wildfire / Flooding
7/10
High
Curry County OR
Earthquake / Tsunami
7/10
Moderate
Tillamook County OR
Earthquake / Tsunami
7/10
Moderate