Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 4.0Hamburg’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Hamburg 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.
What’s behind Hamburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamburg, and Hamburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hamburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hamburg: $673K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hamburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashley County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamburg
Disasters that paid out in Hamburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the City of Hamburg for repairs
Ashley County has had 12 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 Hamburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamburg archive →Get ready for what Hamburg 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 Hamburg
Is Hamburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (20%). 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 Hamburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hamburg since 2004, $93K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hamburg 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 Ashley County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamburg’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 Hamburg?
By FEMA money that reached Hamburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2001): $18K to the City of Hamburg for repairs.
Is Hamburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Hamburg’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamburg’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.