Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Forest faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest 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 (76%). 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 Forest 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
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 Forest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest, and Forest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Forest’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $422K a year in losses across Forest: $305K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Forest. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Forest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest
Disasters that paid out in Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Forest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$27K to the Village of Forest for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes70 households applied for aid$205K aid approved$12K to the Village of Forest for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$17K to the Village of Forest for repairs
- 2004Snow$1K to the Village of Forest for repairs
Hardin County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest archive →Get ready for what Forest 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.
- 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 Forest
Is Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest 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 (76%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Forest 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 Hardin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest’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 Forest?
By FEMA money that reached Forest, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 70 households applied for aid, $205K approved, and $12K to the Village of Forest for repairs.
Is Forest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Forest’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest’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.