Photo: Bill Whittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Early
Early isn’t graded for hazard risk: Early has 869 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Early 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
Strong wind
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.
Does Early flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Early. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Early isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sac County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Early
Disasters that paid out in Early itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Early), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$52K to the City of Early for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Early for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$2K to the City of Early for repairs
- 2007Snow$993 to the City of Early for repairs
Sac County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Early after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Early archive →Get ready for what Early 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Early
Is Early 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 Sac County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Early?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Early’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 Early?
By FEMA money that reached Early, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $52K to the City of Early for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Early.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Early’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.