Lake Dick · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Altheimer
Altheimer isn’t graded for hazard risk: Altheimer has 517 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2008.
What Altheimer 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does Altheimer flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Altheimer, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $3K
Altheimer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Altheimer
Disasters that paid out in Altheimer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Altheimer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$30K to the City of Altheimer for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$553K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding4 households applied for aid$768 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$50K to the City of Altheimer for repairs
Jefferson County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Altheimer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Altheimer archive →Get ready for what Altheimer 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Altheimer
Does Altheimer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Altheimer since 2008, $67K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Altheimer 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 Jefferson County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Altheimer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Altheimer’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 Altheimer?
By FEMA money that reached Altheimer, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 47 households applied for aid, $553K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $3K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Altheimer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Altheimer’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.