Photo: The original uploader was ProfDEH at English Wikipedia. · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Sparland
Sparland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sparland has 295 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1982.
What Sparland 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
Earthquakes
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 Sparland flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sparland, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $10K
Sparland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sparland
Disasters that paid out in Sparland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sparland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to the Village of Sparland for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$1K to the Village of Sparland for repairs
Marshall County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sparland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sparland archive →Get ready for what Sparland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Sparland
Does Sparland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Sparland since 1982, $228K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Sparland 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 Marshall County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sparland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sparland’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 Sparland?
By FEMA money that reached Sparland, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 7 households applied for aid, $31K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sparland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sparland’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.