Photo: Daisy Carp · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Healdton than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Healdton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Healdton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Healdton 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
Ice storms
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 Healdton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Healdton, and Healdton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Healdton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Healdton: $768K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Healdton flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Healdton, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill6 claims · $429K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $5K
Healdton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carter County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Healdton
Disasters that paid out in Healdton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Healdton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding59 households applied for aid$219K aid approved$216K to the City of Healdton for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Wildfires22 households applied for aid$166K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$7K to the City of Healdton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to the City of Healdton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$104K to the City of Healdton for repairs
Carter County has had 24 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Carter County, 2005–2026.
Old photos of Healdton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Healdton archive →Get ready for what Healdton 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Healdton
Is Healdton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Healdton has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Healdton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Healdton since 1982, $609K in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (6).
Is Healdton 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 Carter County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Healdton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Healdton’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 Healdton?
By FEMA money that reached Healdton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 59 households applied for aid, $219K approved, and $216K to the City of Healdton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 6 paid, $429K.
Is Healdton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Healdton’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Healdton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Healdton’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.