Leaf River Bridge · Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in McLain
McLain isn’t graded for hazard risk: McLain has 416 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1980.
What McLain 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.
Does McLain flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McLain, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter severe storms4 claims · $135K
McLain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McLain
Disasters that paid out in McLain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of McLain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta18 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$20K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina12 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Greene County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of McLain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McLain archive →Get ready for what McLain 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 McLain
Does McLain flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in McLain since 1980, $541K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (4).
Is McLain 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 Greene County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McLain?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McLain’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 McLain?
By FEMA money that reached McLain, Hurricane Zeta (2020): 18 households applied for aid, $40K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 4 paid, $135K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McLain.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McLain’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.