Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Callahan faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Callahan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1991.
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 Callahan 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
Hurricanes
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 Callahan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Callahan, and Callahan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Callahan’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $468K a year in losses across Callahan: $395K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Callahan flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Callahan, from FEMA’s records: 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma3 claims · $213K
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $9K
- Hurricane Josephine1 claim · $14K
Callahan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Callahan
Disasters that paid out in Callahan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Callahan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,590 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$7K to the Town of Callahan for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $213K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew50 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby27 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay110 households applied for aid$312K aid approved$9K to the Town of Callahan for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne73 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$7K to the Town of Callahan for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances88 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$450 to the Town of Callahan for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Town of Callahan for repairs
Nassau County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Nassau County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of Callahan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Callahan archive →Get ready for what Callahan 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Callahan
Is Callahan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Callahan has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Callahan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Callahan since 1991, $268K in all, or 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (3).
Is Callahan 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 Nassau County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Callahan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Callahan’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 Callahan?
By FEMA money that reached Callahan, Hurricane Irma (2017): 1,590 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $7K to the Town of Callahan for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 3 paid, $213K.
Is Callahan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Callahan’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Callahan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Callahan’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.