Photo: Reginald McDowell · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Nichols
Nichols isn’t graded for hazard risk: Nichols has 240 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 2015.
What Nichols 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
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 Nichols flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nichols, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Florence34 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Matthew20 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $14K
Nichols isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nichols
Disasters that paid out in Nichols itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Nichols), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian81 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence395 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$179K to the Town of Nichols for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew659 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$345K to the Town of Nichols for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$23K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances135 households applied for aid$86K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$38K to the Town of Nichols for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$17K to the Town of Nichols for repairs
Marion County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Nichols after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nichols archive →Get ready for what Nichols 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.
- 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 Nichols
Does Nichols flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Nichols since 2015, $4.1M in all. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (34).
Is Nichols 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 Marion County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nichols?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nichols’ 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 Nichols?
By FEMA money that reached Nichols, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 659 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $345K to the Town of Nichols for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 34 paid, $2.5M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nichols.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nichols’ 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.