Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hazen faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazen gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1989.
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 Hazen 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 Hazen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hazen, and Hazen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hazen’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hazen: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hazen flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hazen, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hazen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prairie County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hazen
Disasters that paid out in Hazen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hazen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$11K to the City of Hazen for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$86K to the City of Hazen for repairs
Prairie County has had 17 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 Hazen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hazen archive →Get ready for what Hazen 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 Hazen
Is Hazen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazen has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (22%). 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 Hazen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hazen since 1989, $388 in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hazen 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 Prairie County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hazen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hazen’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 Hazen?
By FEMA money that reached Hazen, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $86K to the City of Hazen for repairs.
Is Hazen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Hazen’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hazen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hazen’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.