More hazard damage per building is expected in Hurley than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hurley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (31%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hurley faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Hurley’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hurley, and Hurley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hurley’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Hurley: $811K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hurley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hurley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hurley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hurley
Disasters that paid out in Hurley itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hurley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Isaac2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina157 households applied for aid$239K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan19 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Jackson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Hurley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hurley archive →Get ready for what Hurley faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Hurley
Is Hurley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hurley has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hurley 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 Jackson County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hurley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hurley’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 Hurley?
By FEMA money that reached Hurley, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 157 households applied for aid, $239K approved.
Is Hurley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Hurley’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hurley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hurley’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.