Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Inez
Inez isn’t graded for hazard risk: Inez has 930 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2004.
What Inez 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 Inez flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Inez, from FEMA’s records.
- The Heavy rains4 claims · $128K
Inez isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Inez
Disasters that paid out in Inez itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Inez), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides109 households applied for aid$673K aid approved$53K to the City of Inez for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides148 households applied for aid$490K aid approved$4K to the City of Inez for repairs
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides114 households applied for aid$292K aid approved$23K to the City of Inez for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding107 households applied for aid$194K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides449 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$13K to the City of Inez for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes44 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and69 households applied for aid$156K aid approved$1K to the City of Inez for repairs
Martin County has had 28 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Martin County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Inez after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Inez archive →Get ready for what Inez 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 Inez
Does Inez flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Inez since 2004, $345K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (4).
Is Inez 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 Martin County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Inez?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Inez’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 Inez?
By FEMA money that reached Inez, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 449 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $13K to the City of Inez for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 4 paid, $128K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Inez.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Inez’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.