Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Century than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Century gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Century faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Century’s grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Century, and Century’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Century’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $782K a year in losses across Century: $637K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Century flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Century, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Century isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Century
Disasters that paid out in Century itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Century), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally234 households applied for aid$285K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$18K to the Town of Century for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis654 households applied for aid$547K aid approved$17K to the Town of Century for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,556 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$185K to the Town of Century for repairs
Escambia County has had 31 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Escambia County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Century after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Century archive →Get ready for what Century faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Century
Is Century at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Century has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (22%). 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 Century flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Century since 2001, $6K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Century 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 Escambia County, 62% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Century?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Century’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 Century?
By FEMA money that reached Century, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1,556 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $185K to the Town of Century for repairs.
Is Century at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Century’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Century.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Century’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.