Photo: Nheyob · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pierce City than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pierce City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1995.
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 Pierce City 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
Strong wind
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 Pierce City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pierce City, and Pierce City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pierce City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $914K a year in losses across Pierce City: $484K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pierce City flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pierce City, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $101K
Pierce City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pierce City
Disasters that paid out in Pierce City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pierce City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$21K to the City of Pierce City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$122K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$136K to the City of Pierce City for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding258 households applied for aid$766K aid approved$4.5M to the City of Pierce City for repairs
Lawrence County has had 16 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 Pierce City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pierce City archive →Get ready for what Pierce City 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Pierce City
Is Pierce City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pierce City has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Pierce City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Pierce City since 1995, $249K in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Pierce City 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 Lawrence County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pierce City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pierce City’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 Pierce City?
By FEMA money that reached Pierce City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 258 households applied for aid, $766K approved, and $4.5M to the City of Pierce City for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $101K.
Is Pierce City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Pierce City’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pierce City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pierce City’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.