On FEMA’s figures, Middlebranch faces less hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlebranch gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2003.
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 Middlebranch 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
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 Middlebranch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middlebranch, and Middlebranch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 10% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Middlebranch’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $365K a year in losses across Middlebranch: $292K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middlebranch flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middlebranch, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Middlebranch isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.The storms Middlebranch remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Stark County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Middlebranch itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20142 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20031 flood claims paidThe year of Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds, declared for Stark County
- 20131 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Stark County has had 9 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 Middlebranch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middlebranch archive →Get ready for what Middlebranch 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.
- 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 Middlebranch
Is Middlebranch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlebranch has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (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.
Does Middlebranch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Middlebranch since 2003, $14K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Middlebranch 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middlebranch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middlebranch’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Middlebranch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Middlebranch’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middlebranch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middlebranch’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.