Quincy, Omaha and Kansas City Railroad Office Building · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0Milan’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Milan 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
Hail
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 Milan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milan, and Milan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milan’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 Milan: $505K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milan flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milan, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milan
Disasters that paid out in Milan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$118K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$81K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$17K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$10K to the City of Milan for repairs
Sullivan County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Milan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milan archive →Get ready for what Milan 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Milan
Is Milan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (18%). 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 Milan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Milan since 1982, $329 in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Milan 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.
How much is flood insurance in Milan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milan’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 Milan?
By FEMA money that reached Milan, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $118K to the City of Milan for repairs.
Is Milan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Milan’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milan’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.