New Orleans Great Northern Railroad Depot · Photo: Jfoakes · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Monticello than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Monticello 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
Hurricanes
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.
What’s behind Monticello’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monticello, and Monticello’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monticello’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $816K a year in losses across Monticello: $588K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monticello flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monticello, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Monticello 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monticello
Disasters that paid out in Monticello itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monticello), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding473 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Monticello for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$8K to the Town of Monticello for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$750 to the Town of Monticello for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,017 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$359K to the Town of Monticello for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods266 households applied for aid$223K aid approved
Lawrence County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Monticello after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monticello archive →Get ready for what Monticello 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.
- 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.
- 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 Monticello
Is Monticello at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monticello has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monticello flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Monticello since 1983, $70K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Monticello 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, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monticello?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monticello’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 Monticello?
By FEMA money that reached Monticello, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,017 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $359K to the Town of Monticello for repairs.
Is Monticello at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Monticello’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monticello.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monticello’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.