Photo: Mitchell Cooper · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Chalmers
Chalmers isn’t graded for hazard risk: Chalmers has 526 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
What Chalmers 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does Chalmers flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chalmers, from FEMA’s records.
Chalmers isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: White County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chalmers
Disasters that paid out in Chalmers itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chalmers), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$776 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of Chalmers for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$4K to the Town of Chalmers for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$982 to the Town of Chalmers for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$2K to the Town of Chalmers for repairs
White County has had 15 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 Chalmers after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chalmers archive →Get ready for what Chalmers 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Chalmers
Does Chalmers flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Chalmers since 2003, $32K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chalmers 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 White County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chalmers?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chalmers’ 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 Chalmers?
By FEMA money that reached Chalmers, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 3 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $4K to the Town of Chalmers for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chalmers.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chalmers’ 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.