Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Clayton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1995.
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 stands out about Clayton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clayton 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 Clayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clayton, and Clayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clayton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $679K a year in losses across Clayton: $372K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clayton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clayton, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal1 claim · $604
Clayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barbour County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clayton
Disasters that paid out in Clayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$20K to the City of Clayton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$92K to the City of Clayton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan164 households applied for aid$156K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Barbour County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Clayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clayton archive →Get ready for what Clayton 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 Clayton
Is Clayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clayton since 1995, $604 in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (1).
Is Clayton 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 Barbour County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clayton’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 Clayton?
By FEMA money that reached Clayton, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 164 households applied for aid, $156K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 1 paid, $604.
Is Clayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Clayton’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clayton’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.