Storms, floods and disasters in Reynolds
Reynolds isn’t graded for hazard risk: Reynolds has 718 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Reynolds 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 Reynolds flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Reynolds. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Reynolds 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reynolds
Disasters that paid out in Reynolds itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Reynolds), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$953 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$905 to the Town of Reynolds 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 Reynolds after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reynolds archive →Get ready for what Reynolds 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 Reynolds
Is Reynolds 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 Reynolds?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reynolds’ 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 Reynolds?
By FEMA money that reached Reynolds, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 9 households applied for aid, $41K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reynolds.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reynolds’ 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.