Cabins Historic District · Photo: Sector001 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Novinger
Novinger isn’t graded for hazard risk: Novinger has 423 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1993.
What Novinger 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 Novinger flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Novinger, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $115K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $10K
Novinger isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adair County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Novinger
Disasters that paid out in Novinger itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Novinger), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$239K to the City of Novinger for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$72K to the City of Novinger for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$91K to the City of Novinger for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$95K to the City of Novinger for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding58 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$38K to the City of Novinger for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$7K to the City of Novinger for repairs
Adair County has had 21 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 Novinger after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Novinger archive →Get ready for what Novinger 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 Novinger
Does Novinger flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Novinger since 1993, $296K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Novinger 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 Adair County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Novinger?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Novinger’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 Novinger?
By FEMA money that reached Novinger, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): $239K to the City of Novinger for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $115K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Novinger.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Novinger’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.