Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Manchester faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1989.
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 Manchester 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.
What’s behind Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Manchester: $896K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $554
Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides301 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$266K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides42 households applied for aid$207K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$203K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides597 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$33K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides228 households applied for aid$392K aid approved$417K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides$4K to the City of Manchester for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides279 households applied for aid$292K aid approved$19K to the City of Manchester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes95 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and52 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$8K to the City of Manchester for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$852 to the City of Manchester for repairs
Clay 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clay County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Get ready for what Manchester 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Manchester since 1989, $37K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Manchester 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 Clay County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 301 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $266K to the City of Manchester for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $554.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Manchester’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.