FEMA puts Slocomb’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Slocomb gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Slocomb 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
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 Slocomb’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Slocomb, and Slocomb’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 35% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Slocomb’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $749K a year in losses across Slocomb: $468K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Slocomb flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Slocomb, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Slocomb isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Geneva County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Slocomb
Disasters that paid out in Slocomb itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Slocomb), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$40K to the City of Slocomb for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$45K to the City of Slocomb for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$20K to the City of Slocomb for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line49 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$15K to the City of Slocomb for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan51 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$7K to the City of Slocomb for repairs
Geneva County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Slocomb after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Slocomb archive →Get ready for what Slocomb 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.
- 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 Slocomb
Is Slocomb at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Slocomb has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (35%). 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 Slocomb flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Slocomb since 2013, $8K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Slocomb 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 Geneva County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Slocomb?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Slocomb’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 Slocomb?
By FEMA money that reached Slocomb, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line (2009): 49 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $15K to the City of Slocomb for repairs.
Is Slocomb at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Slocomb’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Slocomb.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Slocomb’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.