Photo: Paltron · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Black Rock
Black Rock isn’t graded for hazard risk: Black Rock has 853 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2008.
What Black Rock 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
Ice storms
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 Black Rock flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Rock, from FEMA’s records.
- The March storm1 claim · $19K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $19K
Black Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Rock
Disasters that paid out in Black Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Black Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding12 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$58K to the City of Black Rock for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$57K to the City of Black Rock for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$765 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$5K to the City of Black Rock for repairs
Lawrence County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Black Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Rock archive →Get ready for what Black Rock 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Black Rock
Does Black Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Black Rock since 2008, $40K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Black Rock 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 Lawrence County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Black Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Rock’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 Black Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Black Rock, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $40K approved, and $58K to the City of Black Rock for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $19K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Rock’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.