Photo: Vbofficial · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Oak Hill than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Hill gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Oak Hill 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 Oak Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Hill, and Oak Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Hill’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $294K a year in losses across Oak Hill: $236K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Hill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Hill, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oak Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Hill
Disasters that paid out in Oak Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Oak Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$11K to the Village of Oak Hill for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow79 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$32K to the Village of Oak Hill for repairs
Jackson County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Oak Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Hill archive →Get ready for what Oak Hill 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 Oak Hill
Is Oak Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Hill has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Oak Hill since 2011, $25K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Oak Hill 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 Jackson County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oak Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Hill’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 Oak Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Hill, Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow (2003): 79 households applied for aid, $97K approved, and $32K to the Village of Oak Hill for repairs.
Is Oak Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Oak Hill’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Hill’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.