Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Woodbine as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbine gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1993.
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 Woodbine 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
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 Woodbine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodbine, and Woodbine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woodbine’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $991K a year in losses across Woodbine: $493K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodbine flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodbine, from FEMA’s records: 13.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $61K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $34K
Woodbine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodbine
Disasters that paid out in Woodbine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodbine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Woodbine for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$28K to the City of Woodbine for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2007Snow$3K to the City of Woodbine for repairs
Harrison County has had 21 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 Woodbine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodbine archive →Get ready for what Woodbine 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.
- 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 Woodbine
Is Woodbine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbine has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Woodbine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Woodbine since 1993, $157K in all, or 13.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Woodbine 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 Harrison County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodbine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodbine’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 Woodbine?
By FEMA money that reached Woodbine, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 11 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $60K.
Is Woodbine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Woodbine’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodbine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodbine’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.