Storms, floods and disasters in Altoona
Altoona isn’t graded for hazard risk: Altoona has 467 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2002.
What Altoona 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.
Does Altoona flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Altoona, from FEMA’s records.
- The Thunderstorms6 claims · $46K
Altoona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Altoona
Disasters that paid out in Altoona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Altoona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$208K to the City of Altoona for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Wilson County has had 14 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 Altoona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Altoona archive →Get ready for what Altoona 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 Altoona
Does Altoona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Altoona since 2002, $46K in all. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (6).
Is Altoona 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 Wilson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Altoona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Altoona’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 Altoona?
By FEMA money that reached Altoona, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 32 households applied for aid, $129K approved, and $208K to the City of Altoona for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 6 paid, $46K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Altoona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Altoona’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.