Storms, floods and disasters in Hecla
Hecla isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hecla has 182 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
What Hecla 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
Wildfire
Strong wind
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 Hecla flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hecla, from FEMA’s records.
Hecla isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hecla
Disasters that paid out in Hecla itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hecla), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
Brown County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hecla after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hecla archive →Get ready for what Hecla 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hecla
Does Hecla flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hecla since 2009, $6K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hecla 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 Brown County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hecla?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hecla’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 Hecla?
By FEMA money that reached Hecla, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 34 households applied for aid, $47K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hecla.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hecla’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.