Storms, floods and disasters in Hickory Ridge
Hickory Ridge isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hickory Ridge has 259 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
What Hickory Ridge faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Hickory Ridge flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hickory Ridge, from FEMA’s records.
Hickory Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cross County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hickory Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Hickory Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hickory Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Hickory Ridge for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
Cross County has had 18 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 Hickory Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hickory Ridge archive →Get ready for what Hickory Ridge faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Hickory Ridge
Does Hickory Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hickory Ridge since 1978, $24K in all.
Is Hickory Ridge 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 Cross County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hickory Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hickory Ridge’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 Hickory Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Hickory Ridge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 12 households applied for aid, $69K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hickory Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hickory Ridge’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.