Photo: Calvin Beale · Public domainFEMA puts Double Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Double Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 Double Springs 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
Earthquakes
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 Double Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Double Springs, and Double Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Double Springs’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $549K a year in losses across Double Springs: $371K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Double Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Double Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Double Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winston County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Double Springs
Disasters that paid out in Double Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Double Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan15 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$9K to the Town of Double Springs for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Double Springs for repairs
Winston County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Double Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Double Springs archive →Get ready for what Double Springs 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Double Springs
Is Double Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Double Springs has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Double Springs 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 Winston County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Double Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Double Springs’ 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 Double Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Double Springs, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 15 households applied for aid, $16K approved, and $9K to the Town of Double Springs for repairs.
Is Double Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Double Springs’ rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Double Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Double Springs’ 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.