Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Pandora 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, Pandora gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Pandora 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 Pandora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pandora, and Pandora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pandora’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $382K a year in losses across Pandora: $300K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pandora flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pandora, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $7K
Pandora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pandora
Disasters that paid out in Pandora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pandora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$79K to the Village of Pandora for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes25 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1K to the Village of Pandora for repairs
Putnam 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 Pandora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pandora archive →Get ready for what Pandora 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 Pandora
Is Pandora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pandora has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (9%). 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 Pandora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Pandora since 1981, $16K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Pandora 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 Putnam County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pandora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pandora’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 Pandora?
By FEMA money that reached Pandora, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $79K to the Village of Pandora for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Pandora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Pandora’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pandora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pandora’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.