Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Holgate’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holgate gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1981.
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 Holgate 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
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 Holgate’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holgate, and Holgate’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holgate’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $473K a year in losses across Holgate: $409K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holgate flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holgate, from FEMA’s records: 38.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holgate isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Holgate
Disasters that paid out in Holgate itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Holgate), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$260 aid approved
Henry County has had 7 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 Holgate after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holgate archive →Get ready for what Holgate 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.
- 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 Holgate
Is Holgate at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holgate has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Holgate flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Holgate since 1981, $261K in all, or 38.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Holgate 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 Henry County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Holgate?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holgate’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 Holgate?
By FEMA money that reached Holgate, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $260 approved.
Is Holgate at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Holgate’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holgate.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holgate’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.