Holcomb’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holcomb gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hail (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Holcomb 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Holcomb’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holcomb, and Holcomb’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 27%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holcomb’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Holcomb: $711K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holcomb flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holcomb, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holcomb isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Finney County.The storms Holcomb remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Finney County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Holcomb itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20121 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Finney County has had 8 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 Holcomb after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holcomb archive →Get ready for what Holcomb 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Holcomb
Is Holcomb at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holcomb has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hail (27%). 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 Holcomb flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Holcomb since 2012, $3K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Holcomb 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 Finney County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Holcomb?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holcomb’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Holcomb at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Holcomb’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holcomb.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holcomb’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.