Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in English
English isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to English yet. Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1979.
What English 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
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 English flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in English, from FEMA’s records.
English isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to English
Disasters that paid out in English itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of English), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Crawford County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of English after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the English archive →Get ready for what English 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.
- 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 English
Does English flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in English since 1979, $749K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is English 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 Crawford County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in English?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for English’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 English?
By FEMA money that reached English, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 14 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in English.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where English’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.