Alma City Auditorium and Sale Barn · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Alma than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hail (19%). 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 Alma 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
Strong wind
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 Alma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alma, and Alma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Alma’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Alma: $947K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alma flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Alma. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Alma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harlan County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Alma
Disasters that paid out in Alma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$21K to the City of Alma for repairs
Harlan County has had 11 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 Alma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alma archive →Get ready for what Alma 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Alma
Is Alma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hail (19%). 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 Alma 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 Harlan County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Alma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alma’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 Alma?
By FEMA money that reached Alma, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $21K to the City of Alma for repairs.
Is Alma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Alma’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alma’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.