Photo: RussNelson · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Nicholson
Nicholson isn’t graded for hazard risk: Nicholson has 696 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1996.
What Nicholson 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
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.
Does Nicholson flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nicholson, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $50K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $10K
Nicholson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wyoming County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nicholson
Disasters that paid out in Nicholson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Nicholson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee6 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides92 households applied for aid$281K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan38 households applied for aid$60K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $50K
Wyoming County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Nicholson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nicholson archive →Get ready for what Nicholson 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.
- 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 Nicholson
Does Nicholson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Nicholson since 1996, $778K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Nicholson 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 Wyoming County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nicholson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nicholson’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 Nicholson?
By FEMA money that reached Nicholson, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 92 households applied for aid, $281K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $50K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nicholson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nicholson’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.