Cyrus Bates House · Photo: Loslazos · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Henderson than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1978.
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 Henderson 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
Strong wind
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 Henderson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Henderson, and Henderson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 5% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Henderson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $549K a year in losses across Henderson: $492K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Henderson flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Henderson, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Henderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Henderson
Disasters that paid out in Henderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Henderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$72K to the Town of Henderson for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Henderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Henderson archive →Henderson and its neighbors
Henderson is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hounsfield | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Henderson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Adams | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ellisburg | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Henderson 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Henderson
Is Henderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and strong wind (5%). 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 Henderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Henderson since 1978, $234K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Henderson 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Henderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Henderson’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 Henderson?
By FEMA money that reached Henderson, Flooding (2017): $72K to the Town of Henderson for repairs.
Is Henderson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Henderson’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Henderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Henderson’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.