John Lawton House · Photo: Jud McCranie · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Estill faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estill gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Estill faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Estill’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Estill, and Estill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Estill’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Estill: $888K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Estill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Estill, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $394
Estill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Estill
Disasters that paid out in Estill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Estill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene882 households applied for aid$997K aid approved$90K to the Town of Estill for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds125 households applied for aid$907K aid approved$10K to the Town of Estill for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew155 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$35K to the Town of Estill for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $394
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Estill for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of Estill for repairs
Hampton County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Estill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Estill archive →Get ready for what Estill faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Estill
Is Estill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estill has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Estill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Estill since 2016, $394 in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Estill 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 Hampton County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Estill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Estill’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 Estill?
By FEMA money that reached Estill, Hurricane Helene (2024): 882 households applied for aid, $997K approved, and $90K to the Town of Estill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $394.
Is Estill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Estill’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Estill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Estill’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.