Photo: Ruhe1986 at English Wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Carrier Mills than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrier Mills gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1981.
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 Carrier Mills 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
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 Carrier Mills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carrier Mills, and Carrier Mills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carrier Mills’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Carrier Mills: $747K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carrier Mills flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carrier Mills, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $28K
Carrier Mills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Carrier Mills
Disasters that paid out in Carrier Mills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Carrier Mills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Saline County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Carrier Mills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carrier Mills archive →Get ready for what Carrier Mills 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Carrier Mills
Is Carrier Mills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrier Mills has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carrier Mills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Carrier Mills since 1981, $37K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Carrier Mills 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 Saline County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carrier Mills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carrier Mills’ 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 Carrier Mills?
By FEMA money that reached Carrier Mills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 11 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Carrier Mills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Carrier Mills’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carrier Mills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carrier Mills’ 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.