Slade Hotel · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Adrian’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adrian gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Adrian’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Adrian 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Adrian’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adrian, and Adrian’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Adrian’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Adrian: $407K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adrian flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adrian, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $7K
Adrian isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nobles County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adrian
Disasters that paid out in Adrian itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adrian), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding89 households applied for aid$367K aid approved$215K to the City of Adrian for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$14K to the City of Adrian for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$5K to the City of Adrian for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$85K to the City of Adrian for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Adrian for repairs
Nobles County has had 17 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 Adrian after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adrian archive →Adrian and its neighbors
Adrian has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Olney Township | — | 128 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Westside Township | — | 137 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Adrian 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Adrian
Is Adrian at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adrian has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (22%). 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 Adrian flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Adrian since 1993, $9K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Adrian 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 Nobles County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adrian?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adrian’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 Adrian?
By FEMA money that reached Adrian, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 89 households applied for aid, $367K approved, and $215K to the City of Adrian for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Adrian at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Adrian’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adrian.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adrian’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.