Wilcox Female Institute · Photo: Altairisfar · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Camden than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (13%). 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 Camden 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Camden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camden’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Camden: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Camden. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilcox County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta326 households applied for aid$405K aid approved$64K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$2K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan890 households applied for aid$721K aid approved$879K to the City of Camden for repairs
Wilcox County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Get ready for what Camden 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Camden 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. In Wilcox County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 890 households applied for aid, $721K approved, and $879K to the City of Camden for repairs.
Is Camden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Camden’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.