Fairbank’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairbank gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1990.
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 Fairbank 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
Hail
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 Fairbank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairbank, and Fairbank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairbank’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $733K a year in losses across Fairbank: $448K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairbank flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairbank, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $22K
Fairbank isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Buchanan County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairbank
Disasters that paid out in Fairbank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairbank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$32K to the City of Fairbank for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the City of Fairbank for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$6K to the City of Fairbank for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the City of Fairbank for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$77K to the City of Fairbank for repairs
Buchanan County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fairbank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairbank archive →Get ready for what Fairbank 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Fairbank
Is Fairbank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairbank has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairbank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Fairbank since 1990, $56K in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Fairbank 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 Buchanan County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairbank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairbank’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 Fairbank?
By FEMA money that reached Fairbank, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (1999): $77K to the City of Fairbank for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Fairbank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Fairbank’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairbank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairbank’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.