Photo: Ashton B Crew · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Sheffield’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheffield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 Sheffield 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.
What’s behind Sheffield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheffield, and Sheffield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sheffield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Sheffield: $501K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheffield flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheffield, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sheffield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheffield
Disasters that paid out in Sheffield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sheffield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Sheffield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$133K to the City of Sheffield for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Sheffield for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Franklin County has had 19 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 Sheffield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheffield archive →Get ready for what Sheffield 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 Sheffield
Is Sheffield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheffield has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (22%). 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.
Does Sheffield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sheffield since 2010, $41K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sheffield 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 Franklin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sheffield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheffield’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 Sheffield?
By FEMA money that reached Sheffield, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 66 households applied for aid, $81K approved, and $133K to the City of Sheffield for repairs.
Is Sheffield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Sheffield’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheffield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheffield’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.