Photo: Onegentlemanofverona · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Paris faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2004.
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 Paris 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
Earthquakes
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 Paris’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paris, and Paris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Paris’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1,000K a year in losses across Paris: $468K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paris flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paris, from FEMA’s records: 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $274
Paris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paris
Disasters that paid out in Paris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Paris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Paris for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$111K aid approved$58K to the City of Paris for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding20 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Monroe County has had 15 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 Paris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paris archive →Get ready for what Paris 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Paris
Is Paris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) 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 Paris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Paris since 2004, $153K in all, or 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Paris 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 Monroe County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paris’ 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 Paris?
By FEMA money that reached Paris, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 20 households applied for aid, $111K approved, and $58K to the City of Paris for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $274.
Is Paris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Paris’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paris’ 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.