Fort McPherson National Cemetery · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Storms, floods and disasters in Maxwell
Maxwell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Maxwell has 174 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
What Maxwell 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
Wildfire
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 Maxwell flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maxwell, from FEMA’s records.
Maxwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maxwell
Disasters that paid out in Maxwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Maxwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Village of Maxwell for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$1K to the Village of Maxwell for repairs
Lincoln County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Maxwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maxwell archive →Get ready for what Maxwell 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.
- 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.
- 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 Maxwell
Does Maxwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Maxwell since 2007, $43K in all.
Is Maxwell 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 Lincoln County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maxwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maxwell’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 Maxwell?
By FEMA money that reached Maxwell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $3K to the Village of Maxwell for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maxwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maxwell’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.