Photo: Moncrief at en.wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Hawley than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
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 Hawley 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
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 Hawley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hawley, and Hawley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hawley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hawley: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hawley flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hawley, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $20K
Hawley 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hawley
Disasters that paid out in Hawley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hawley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Clay County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hawley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hawley archive →Hawley and its neighbors
Hawley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawley | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hawley Township | — | 636 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eglon Township | — | 698 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 Hawley 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.
- 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 Hawley
Is Hawley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawley has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (7%). 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 Hawley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hawley since 1978, $21K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Hawley 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, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hawley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hawley’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 Hawley?
By FEMA money that reached Hawley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 3 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $20K.
Is Hawley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Hawley’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hawley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hawley’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.