Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Erin than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Erin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Erin 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind Erin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erin, and Erin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Erin’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $967K a year in losses across Erin: $542K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erin flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erin, from FEMA’s records: 70.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms12 claims · $801K
- The Tennessee Flooding5 claims · $455K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $56K
Erin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erin
Disasters that paid out in Erin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Erin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$4K to the City of Erin for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding106 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$38K to the City of Erin for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$18K to the City of Erin for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm and Straight-line Winds$12K to the City of Erin for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$13K to the City of Erin for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes222 households applied for aid$552K aid approved$117K to the City of Erin for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$16K to the City of Erin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Erin for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$45K to the City of Erin for repairs
Houston County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Erin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erin archive →Erin and its neighbors
Erin is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Ridge | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Erin | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Erin 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Erin
Is Erin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Erin since 1979, $1.6M in all, or 70.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (12).
Is Erin 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 Houston County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erin’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 Erin?
By FEMA money that reached Erin, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 222 households applied for aid, $552K approved, and $117K to the City of Erin for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 12 paid, $801K.
Is Erin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Erin’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erin’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.