Storms, floods and disasters in Hokah
Hokah isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hokah has 668 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1980.
What Hokah 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.
Does Hokah flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hokah, from FEMA’s records.
Hokah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hokah
Disasters that paid out in Hokah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hokah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Hokah for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Hokah for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$11K to the City of Hokah for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Hokah for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding122 households applied for aid$304K aid approved$270K to the City of Hokah for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Hokah for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Houston County has had 18 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 Hokah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hokah archive →Get ready for what Hokah 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 Hokah
Does Hokah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Hokah since 1980, $298K in all.
Is Hokah 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 Houston County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hokah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hokah’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 Hokah?
By FEMA money that reached Hokah, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 122 households applied for aid, $304K approved, and $270K to the City of Hokah for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hokah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hokah’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.