Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Hazen’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazen gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Hazen 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
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.
What’s behind Hazen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hazen, and Hazen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hazen’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Hazen: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hazen flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hazen, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm4 claims · $101K
Hazen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hazen
Disasters that paid out in Hazen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hazen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Straight-line Winds$6K to the City of Hazen for repairs
- 2011Flooding$4K to the City of Hazen for repairs
- 2010Flooding$6K to the City of Hazen for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$8K to the City of Hazen for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$4K to the City of Hazen for repairs
Mercer County has had 21 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 Hazen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hazen archive →Get ready for what Hazen 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.
- 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 Hazen
Is Hazen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazen has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hail (21%). 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.
Does Hazen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Hazen since 1997, $109K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (4).
Is Hazen 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 Mercer County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hazen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hazen’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 Hazen?
By FEMA money that reached Hazen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 18 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $8K to the City of Hazen for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 4 paid, $101K.
Is Hazen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Hazen’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hazen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hazen’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.