Photo: Vycl1994 · CC BY-SA 3.0Hull’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hull gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (28%). 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 Hull 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 Hull’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hull, and Hull’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hull’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Hull: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hull flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hull. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hull isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sioux County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hull
Disasters that paid out in Hull itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hull), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes63 households applied for aid$355K aid approved$27K to the City of Hull for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Hull for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$15K to the City of Hull for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Hull for repairs
Sioux County has had 12 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 Hull after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hull archive →Get ready for what Hull 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 Hull
Is Hull at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hull has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (28%). 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 Hull 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 Sioux County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hull?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hull’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 Hull?
By FEMA money that reached Hull, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 63 households applied for aid, $355K approved, and $27K to the City of Hull for repairs.
Is Hull at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Hull’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hull.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hull’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.