Cagle House · Photo: MrGeode13 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Nelson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelson gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 Nelson 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
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 Nelson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nelson, and Nelson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nelson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $353K a year in losses across Nelson: $255K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nelson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Nelson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Nelson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nelson
Disasters that paid out in Nelson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nelson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$3K to the City of Nelson for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$1K to the City of Nelson for repairs
Cherokee County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Nelson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nelson archive →Get ready for what Nelson 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.
- 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 Nelson
Is Nelson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelson has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Nelson 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 Cherokee County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nelson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nelson’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 Nelson?
By FEMA money that reached Nelson, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $3K to the City of Nelson for repairs.
Is Nelson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Nelson’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nelson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nelson’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.