Lafayette County Training School · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Stamps than in 91% of U.S. towns, led by ice storms
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stamps gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (49%), then river and rain flooding (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 Stamps faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
River and rain flooding
Hail
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 Stamps’ grade
Ice storms are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stamps, and Stamps’ rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stamps’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Stamps: $889K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stamps flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Stamps. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Stamps isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stamps
Disasters that paid out in Stamps itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stamps), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Stamps for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$4K to the City of Stamps for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of Stamps for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$162 aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$77K to the City of Stamps for repairs
Lafayette County has had 16 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 Stamps after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stamps archive →Get ready for what Stamps faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Stamps
Is Stamps at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stamps has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (49%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Stamps 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 Lafayette County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Stamps?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stamps’ 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 Stamps?
By FEMA money that reached Stamps, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $77K to the City of Stamps for repairs.
Is Stamps at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Stamps’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stamps.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stamps’ 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.