Photo: w.marsh · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hindman
Hindman isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hindman has 790 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 84 claims here since 1978.
What Hindman 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
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 Hindman flood? Sometimes: 84 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hindman, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late July Flooding26 claims · $3.0M
- The February Kentucky Flooding2 claims · $63K
Hindman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knott County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hindman
Disasters that paid out in Hindman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hindman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides78 households applied for aid$611K aid approved$393K to the City of Hindman for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides350 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Hindman for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$75K to the City of Hindman for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$201K to the City of Hindman for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$23K to the City of Hindman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Rockslides$17K to the City of Hindman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$35K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes76 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$27K to the City of Hindman for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and13 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$51K to the City of Hindman for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Knott County has had 39 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 Hindman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hindman archive →Get ready for what Hindman 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.
- 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 Hindman
Does Hindman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 84 claims in Hindman since 1978, $3.5M in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (26).
Is Hindman 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 Knott County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hindman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hindman’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 Hindman?
By FEMA money that reached Hindman, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 350 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Hindman for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 26 paid, $3.0M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hindman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hindman’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.