Photo: Rivers Langley · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Ashland’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Ashland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $800K a year in losses across Ashland: $527K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ashland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta$14K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
Clay County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Get ready for what Ashland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ashland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $39K approved.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Ashland’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.