Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ray City than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ray City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (34%). 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 Ray City 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 Ray City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ray City, and Ray City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 34% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ray City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $391K a year in losses across Ray City: $240K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ray City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ray City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ray City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berrien County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ray City
Disasters that paid out in Ray City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ray City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,263 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$92K to the City of Ray City for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia95 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$4K to the City of Ray City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Berrien County has had 13 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 Ray City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ray City archive →Get ready for what Ray City 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 Ray City
Is Ray City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ray City has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (34%). 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.
Is Ray City 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 Berrien County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ray City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ray City’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 Ray City?
By FEMA money that reached Ray City, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,263 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $92K to the City of Ray City for repairs.
Is Ray City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Ray City’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ray City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ray City’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.