Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Wheelwright than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheelwright gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 Wheelwright 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 Wheelwright’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheelwright, and Wheelwright’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wheelwright’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $367K a year in losses across Wheelwright: $335K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheelwright flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheelwright, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding2 claims · $13K
Wheelwright isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Floyd County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheelwright
Disasters that paid out in Wheelwright itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wheelwright), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides39 households applied for aid$268K aid approved$91K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides50 households applied for aid$220K aid approved$13K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides33 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes58 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$6K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and29 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$2K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$80K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs
Floyd 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Floyd County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Wheelwright after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheelwright archive →Get ready for what Wheelwright 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 Wheelwright
Is Wheelwright at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheelwright has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Wheelwright flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Wheelwright since 1998, $15K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (2).
Is Wheelwright 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 Floyd County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wheelwright?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheelwright’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 Wheelwright?
By FEMA money that reached Wheelwright, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 39 households applied for aid, $268K approved, and $91K to the City of Wheelwright for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Wheelwright at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Wheelwright’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheelwright.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheelwright’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.