Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Smithville than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Smithville 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 Smithville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithville, and Smithville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Smithville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $293K a year in losses across Smithville: $249K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithville, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Smithville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Smithville
Disasters that paid out in Smithville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Smithville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$5K to the Village of Smithville for repairs
Wayne 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 Smithville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithville archive →Get ready for what Smithville 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 Smithville
Is Smithville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithville has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Smithville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Smithville since 1979, $2K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Smithville 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 Wayne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smithville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithville’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 Smithville?
By FEMA money that reached Smithville, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): $5K to the Village of Smithville for repairs.
Is Smithville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Smithville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithville’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.