Photo: Alanteitleman · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hamilton
Hamilton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hamilton has 243 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
What Hamilton 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 Hamilton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $26K
Hamilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene35 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$8K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel45 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$20K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$17K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $26K
Martin County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton archive →Get ready for what Hamilton 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 Hamilton
Does Hamilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hamilton since 1999, $26K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Hamilton 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 Martin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 45 households applied for aid, $46K approved, and $20K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $26K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton’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.