Photo: Public domain · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Andrews faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andrews 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 (75%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2003.
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 stands out about Andrews’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Andrews 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
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 Andrews’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Andrews, and Andrews’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Andrews’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $401K a year in losses across Andrews: $264K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Andrews flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Andrews, from FEMA’s records: 27.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Andrews is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Huntington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Andrews
Disasters that paid out in Andrews itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Andrews), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$1K to the Town of Andrews for repairs
Huntington County has had 12 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 Andrews after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Andrews archive →Get ready for what Andrews 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.
- 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.
- Andrews residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Andrews
Is Andrews at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andrews 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 (75%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Andrews flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Andrews since 2003, $264K in all, or 27.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Andrews 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 Huntington County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Andrews?
Andrews is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Andrews?
By FEMA money that reached Andrews, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 10 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Andrews at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Andrews’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Andrews.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Andrews’ 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.