Clyde Carter House · Photo: Spyder_Monkey · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Killen than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Killen gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). 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 Killen 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 Killen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Killen, and Killen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Killen’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $734K a year in losses across Killen: $440K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Killen flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Killen. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Killen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lauderdale County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Killen
Disasters that paid out in Killen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Killen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$17K to the Town of Killen for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$677 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$2K to the Town of Killen for repairs
Lauderdale County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Killen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Killen archive →Get ready for what Killen 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 Killen
Is Killen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Killen has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Killen 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 Lauderdale County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Killen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Killen’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 Killen?
By FEMA money that reached Killen, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 23 households applied for aid, $65K approved, and $2K to the Town of Killen for repairs.
Is Killen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Killen’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Killen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Killen’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.