FEMA puts Central City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1990.
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 Central City 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
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 Central City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central City, and Central City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Central City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $768K a year in losses across Central City: $471K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central City, 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 · $6K
Central City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.The storms Central City remembers
None of the 5 disasters declared for Marion County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Central City itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19901 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Marion County
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Marion County has had 5 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 Central City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central City archive →Central City and its neighbors
Central City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Centralia | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Central City 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.
- 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 Central City
Is Central City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central City has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and earthquakes (41%). 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 Central City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Central City since 1990, $26K 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 Central City 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 Marion County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Central City’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 Central City?
By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Central City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Central City’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central City’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.