On FEMA’s figures, Putnamville faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnamville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (10%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Putnamville 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.
What’s behind Putnamville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Putnamville, and Putnamville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Putnamville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $818K a year in losses across Putnamville: $525K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Putnamville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Putnamville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Putnamville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Putnamville
Disasters that paid out in Putnamville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Putnamville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$681 aid approved
Putnam County has had 17 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 Putnamville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Putnamville archive →Get ready for what Putnamville 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 Putnamville
Is Putnamville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnamville has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Putnamville 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 Putnam County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Putnamville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Putnamville’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 Putnamville?
By FEMA money that reached Putnamville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 1 households applied for aid, $681 approved.
Is Putnamville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Putnamville’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Putnamville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Putnamville’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.