Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Palestine
Palestine isn’t graded for hazard risk: Palestine has 800 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
What Palestine 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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.
Does Palestine flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palestine, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $51K
Palestine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Francis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palestine
Disasters that paid out in Palestine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palestine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding23 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$22K to the City of Palestine for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$5K to the City of Palestine for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$24K to the City of Palestine for repairs
St. Francis County has had 17 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 Palestine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palestine archive →Get ready for what Palestine 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Palestine
Does Palestine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Palestine since 2011, $51K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Palestine 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 St. Francis County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Palestine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palestine’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 Palestine?
By FEMA money that reached Palestine, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 11 households applied for aid, $66K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $51K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palestine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palestine’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.