Photo: J.B. Chandler · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Ekalaka
Ekalaka isn’t graded for hazard risk: Ekalaka has 276 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Ekalaka 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
Wildfire
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.
Does Ekalaka flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ekalaka. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ekalaka
Disasters that paid out in Ekalaka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ekalaka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1K to the Town of Ekalaka for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$15K to the Town of Ekalaka for repairs
Carter County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ekalaka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ekalaka archive →Get ready for what Ekalaka 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Ekalaka
Is Ekalaka 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.
How much is flood insurance in Ekalaka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ekalaka’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 Ekalaka?
By FEMA money that reached Ekalaka, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 32 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $15K to the Town of Ekalaka for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ekalaka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ekalaka’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.