Storms, floods and disasters in Orrick
Orrick isn’t graded for hazard risk: Orrick has 727 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.
What Orrick 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.
Does Orrick flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orrick, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding15 claims · $407K
Orrick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ray County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orrick
Disasters that paid out in Orrick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orrick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$37K to the City of Orrick for repairs
Ray County has had 28 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 Orrick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orrick archive →Get ready for what Orrick 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 Orrick
Does Orrick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Orrick since 1978, $527K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (15).
Is Orrick 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 Ray County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orrick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orrick’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 Orrick?
By FEMA money that reached Orrick, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $37K to the City of Orrick for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 15 paid, $407K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orrick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orrick’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.