Hale Bridge · Photo: Joseph Elliott · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Olin
Olin isn’t graded for hazard risk: Olin has 830 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1993.
What Olin 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.
Does Olin flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olin, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $1K
- The Storm2 claims · $84K
Olin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olin
Disasters that paid out in Olin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms3 households applied for aid$176 aid approved$18K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$47K to the City of Olin for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$352 aid approved$23K to the City of Olin for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding75 households applied for aid$290K aid approved$273K to the City of Olin for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$3K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Olin for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$785 to the City of Olin for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$6K to the City of Olin for repairs
Jones County has had 19 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 Olin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olin archive →Get ready for what Olin 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 Olin
Does Olin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Olin since 1993, $500K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Olin 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 Jones County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Olin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olin’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 Olin?
By FEMA money that reached Olin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 75 households applied for aid, $290K approved, and $273K to the City of Olin for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $1K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olin’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.