Photo: In-Correct at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Kingston than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then tornadoes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Kingston 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
Strong wind
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 Kingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingston, and Kingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingston’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $791K a year in losses across Kingston: $405K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingston flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kingston. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingston
Disasters that paid out in Kingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding154 households applied for aid$438K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes24 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$63K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$1K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$22K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
Marshall County has had 13 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 Kingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingston archive →Get ready for what Kingston 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Kingston
Is Kingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingston has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kingston 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 Marshall County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingston’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 Kingston?
By FEMA money that reached Kingston, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 154 households applied for aid, $438K approved.
Is Kingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Kingston’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingston’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.