Photo: Aude · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hancock than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hancock gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1985.
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 stands out about Hancock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hancock 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
Hurricanes
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 Hancock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hancock, and Hancock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hancock’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $270K a year in losses across Hancock: $210K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hancock flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hancock, from FEMA’s records: 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran7 claims · $73K
Hancock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hancock
Disasters that paid out in Hancock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hancock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Hancock for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Hancock for repairs
Washington County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hancock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hancock archive →Get ready for what Hancock 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Hancock
Is Hancock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hancock has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Hancock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Hancock since 1985, $517K in all, or 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (7).
Is Hancock 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 Washington County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hancock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hancock’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 Hancock?
By FEMA money that reached Hancock, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $36K to the Town of Hancock for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 7 paid, $73K.
Is Hancock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Hancock’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hancock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hancock’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.