Murphy, J.T., No 1 Crater · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Norphlet
Norphlet isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Norphlet yet. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1991.
What Norphlet 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 Norphlet flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norphlet, from FEMA’s records.
Norphlet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Norphlet
Disasters that paid out in Norphlet itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norphlet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the City of Norphlet for repairs
Union County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Union County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Norphlet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norphlet archive →Get ready for what Norphlet 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 Norphlet
Does Norphlet flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Norphlet since 1991, $5K in all.
Is Norphlet 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 Union 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 Norphlet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norphlet’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 Norphlet?
By FEMA money that reached Norphlet, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $4K to the City of Norphlet for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norphlet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norphlet’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.