Dorchester Academy Boys' Dormitory · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Midway than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midway gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% 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 2016.
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 Midway 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 Midway’s grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Midway, and Midway’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Midway’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Midway: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Midway flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Midway, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $8K
Midway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Liberty County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Midway
Disasters that paid out in Midway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Midway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,458 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby102 households applied for aid$161K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma414 households applied for aid$464K aid approved$16K to the City of Midway for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew406 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$20K to the City of Midway for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
Liberty County has had 11 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.
Old photos of Midway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Midway archive →Get ready for what Midway 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 Midway
Is Midway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midway has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Midway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Midway since 2016, $8K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Midway 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 Liberty County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Midway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Midway’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 Midway?
By FEMA money that reached Midway, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,458 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Midway at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Midway’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Midway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Midway’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.