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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Richton · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Richton

Richton isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Richton yet. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.

Flood claims
3
paid since 2009 · $266K
Disasters paid out here
5
of 26 declared for Perry County
By hazard

What Richton 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

44%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hurricanes

35%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area

Tornadoes

11%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hail Wildfire Earthquakes Strong wind Ice storms Cold waves top 2% Lightning Winter storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Richton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richton, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
2009: 1 claim2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 1 claim2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200920182023
20092026
3
paid claims since 2009
$266K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$89K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Richton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Perry County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
16storm safe rooms built
Disasters

5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richton

Disasters that paid out in Richton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Richton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2020Hurricane Zeta9 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
  2. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
  3. 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
  4. 2005Hurricane Katrina2,509 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved
  5. 2004Hurricane Ivan113 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in RichtonPerry County only

Perry County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.

Were you here?

Old photos of Richton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Richton archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Richton faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Richton

Does Richton flood?

Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Richton since 2009, $266K in all.

Is Richton 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 Perry County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Richton?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richton’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 Richton?

By FEMA money that reached Richton, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,509 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richton.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richton’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.