More hazard damage per building is expected in Highland than in 88% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then ice storms (27%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Highland 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
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.
What’s behind Highland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland, and Highland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $780K a year in losses across Highland: $425K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Highland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Highland 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland
Disasters that paid out in Highland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Highland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding$56K to the City of Highland for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$27K to the City of Highland for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$159K to the City of Highland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K to the City of Highland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$302K to the City of Highland for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$30K to the City of Highland 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 Highland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland archive →Highland and its neighbors
Highland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Cherokee Village | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hardy | — | 890 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Highland 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.
- 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 Highland
Is Highland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and ice storms (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Highland 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 Highland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland’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 Highland?
By FEMA money that reached Highland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 50 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $302K to the City of Highland for repairs.
Is Highland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Highland’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland’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.