Spencer Public Library · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Spencer than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spencer gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Spencer’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Spencer 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 Spencer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spencer, and Spencer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spencer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Spencer: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spencer flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spencer, from FEMA’s records: 61.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm38 claims · $1.5M
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $101K
Spencer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Owen County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spencer
Disasters that paid out in Spencer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Spencer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$30K to the Town of Spencer for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes58 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$63K to the Town of Spencer for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes367 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$137K to the Town of Spencer for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding75 households applied for aid$280K aid approved$7K to the Town of Spencer for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$6K to the Town of Spencer for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$4K to the Town of Spencer for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$7K to the Town of Spencer for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$39K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$4K to the Town of Spencer for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Owen County has had 17 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 Spencer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spencer archive →Get ready for what Spencer 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 Spencer
Is Spencer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spencer has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). 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 Spencer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Spencer since 1982, $2.2M in all, or 61.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (38).
Is Spencer 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 Owen County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spencer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spencer’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 Spencer?
By FEMA money that reached Spencer, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 367 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $137K to the Town of Spencer for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 38 paid, $1.5M.
Is Spencer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Spencer’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spencer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spencer’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.