Redfield School Historic District · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Redfield’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Redfield 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 Redfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redfield, and Redfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Redfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Redfield: $651K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redfield flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Redfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Redfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Redfield
Disasters that paid out in Redfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Redfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$181K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Redfield for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$12K to the City of Redfield for repairs
Jefferson County has had 20 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 Redfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redfield archive →Get ready for what Redfield 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 Redfield
Is Redfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redfield has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and earthquakes (26%). 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 Redfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Redfield since 2021, $4K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Redfield 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 Jefferson County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Redfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Redfield’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 Redfield?
By FEMA money that reached Redfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 16 households applied for aid, $181K approved.
Is Redfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Redfield’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redfield’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.