Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Sledge
Sledge isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sledge has 270 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
What Sledge 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Sledge flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sledge, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $62K
Sledge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Quitman County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sledge
Disasters that paid out in Sledge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sledge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm195 households applied for aid$845K aid approved$4K to the Town of Sledge for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$48K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding194 households applied for aid$245K aid approved$10K to the Town of Sledge for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$16K to the Town of Sledge for repairs
Quitman County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Sledge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sledge archive →Get ready for what Sledge 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Sledge
Does Sledge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Sledge since 1979, $123K in all. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (2).
Is Sledge 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 Quitman County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sledge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sledge’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 Sledge?
By FEMA money that reached Sledge, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 195 households applied for aid, $845K approved, and $4K to the Town of Sledge for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 2 paid, $62K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sledge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sledge’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.