Photo: Matt Zimmerman · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Carrington than in 71% of U.S. towns, led by strong wind
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (42%), then river and rain flooding (27%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Carrington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Carrington’s grade
Strong wind is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carrington, and Carrington’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Carrington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Carrington: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carrington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Carrington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Carrington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Foster County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carrington
Disasters that paid out in Carrington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carrington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$8K to the City of Carrington for repairs
- 2010Flooding$11K to the City of Carrington for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$27K to the City of Carrington for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$86K to the City of Carrington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$94K to the City of Carrington for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$829K to the City of Carrington for repairs
Foster County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Carrington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carrington archive →Carrington and its neighbors
Carrington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington | Cmore damage than 71% | strong wind | 0 |
| Carrington Township | — | 278 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wyard Township | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Carrington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Carrington
Is Carrington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrington has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (42%) and river and rain flooding (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Carrington 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 Foster County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Carrington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carrington’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 Carrington?
By FEMA money that reached Carrington, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $829K to the City of Carrington for repairs.
Is Carrington at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Carrington’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carrington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carrington’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.