FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Surrey than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surrey gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Surrey 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
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind Surrey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surrey, and Surrey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Surrey’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $835K a year in losses across Surrey: $346K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surrey flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Surrey. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Surrey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ward County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surrey
Disasters that paid out in Surrey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Surrey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Surrey for repairs
- 2011Flooding15 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$18K to the City of Surrey for repairs
- 2010Flooding$2K to the City of Surrey for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$2K to the City of Surrey for repairs
- 2004Snow$1K to the City of Surrey for repairs
Ward County has had 25 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 Surrey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surrey archive →Surrey and its neighbors
Surrey is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nedrose Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Surrey | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Surrey Township | — | 395 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 Surrey 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.
- 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.
- 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 Surrey
Is Surrey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surrey has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Surrey 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 Ward County, 4.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Surrey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Surrey’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 Surrey?
By FEMA money that reached Surrey, Flooding (2011): 15 households applied for aid, $17K approved, and $18K to the City of Surrey for repairs.
Is Surrey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Surrey’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surrey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surrey’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.