David L. King House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hardy
Hardy isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hardy has 890 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1982.
What Hardy 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
Ice storms
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.
Does Hardy flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hardy, from FEMA’s records.
- The March storm22 claims · $890K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding17 claims · $1.4M
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $212K
Hardy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sharp County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hardy
Disasters that paid out in Hardy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hardy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$480K aid approved$2.7M to the City of Hardy for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding$33K to the City of Hardy for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$127K to the City of Hardy for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$22K to the City of Hardy for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$82K to the City of Hardy for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$4K to the City of Hardy for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$318K aid approved$898K to the City of Hardy for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$575 aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the City of Hardy for repairs
Sharp County has had 21 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 Hardy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hardy archive →Hardy and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Hardy 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hardy
Does Hardy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Hardy since 1982, $2.7M in all. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (22).
Is Hardy 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 Sharp County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hardy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hardy’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 Hardy?
By FEMA money that reached Hardy, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 36 households applied for aid, $480K approved, and $2.7M to the City of Hardy for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 22 paid, $890K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hardy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hardy’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.