Photo: McD22 · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Culver than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Culver gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then wildfire (30%). 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 Culver 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
Wildfire
Earthquakes
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 Culver’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Culver, and Culver’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 30%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Culver’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $427K a year in losses across Culver: $324K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Culver flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Culver. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Culver isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Culver
Disasters that paid out in Culver itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Culver), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3K to the City of Culver for repairs
Jefferson County has had 8 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.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2002–2026.
Old photos of Culver after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Culver archive →Get ready for what Culver 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Culver
Is Culver at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Culver has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and wildfire (30%). 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.
Is Culver 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Culver?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Culver’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 Culver?
By FEMA money that reached Culver, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2005): $3K to the City of Culver for repairs.
Is Culver at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Culver’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Culver.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Culver’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.