Storms, floods and disasters in Center
Center isn’t graded for hazard risk: Center has 562 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
What Center 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
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 Center flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center, from FEMA’s records.
Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oliver County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Center
Disasters that paid out in Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$19K to the City of Center for repairs
Oliver County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center archive →Get ready for what Center 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.
- 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 Center
Does Center flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Center since 1979, $385 in all.
Is Center 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 Oliver County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center’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 Center?
By FEMA money that reached Center, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 11 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $19K to the City of Center for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center’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.