Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Middletown’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1992.
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 Middletown 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 Middletown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middletown, and Middletown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Middletown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $724K a year in losses across Middletown: $575K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middletown flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middletown, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Middletown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middletown
Disasters that paid out in Middletown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Middletown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$228K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$58K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
- 2007Snow$4K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding60 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$55K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
- 2004Snow$3K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$5K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
Henry County has had 16 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 Middletown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middletown archive →Get ready for what Middletown 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Middletown
Is Middletown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (20%). 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 Middletown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Middletown since 1992, $22K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Middletown 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 Henry County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middletown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middletown’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 Middletown?
By FEMA money that reached Middletown, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 35 households applied for aid, $228K approved.
Is Middletown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Middletown’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middletown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middletown’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.