Photo: Art davis · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Harper than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harper gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (22%). 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 Harper 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Harper’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harper, and Harper’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Harper’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Harper: $827K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harper flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Harper. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Harper isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harper County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harper
Disasters that paid out in Harper itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harper), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$454K to the City of Harper for repairs
- 2013Snowstorm$2K to the City of Harper for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$85K to the City of Harper for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to the City of Harper for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$13K to the City of Harper for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$17K to the City of Harper for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$33K to the City of Harper for repairs
Harper County has had 19 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 Harper after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harper archive →Harper and its neighbors
Harper has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harper | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Township 5 | — | 397 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Harper 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Harper
Is Harper at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harper has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (22%). 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.
Is Harper 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 Harper County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Harper?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harper’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 Harper?
By FEMA money that reached Harper, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $454K to the City of Harper for repairs.
Is Harper at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Harper’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harper.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harper’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.