Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kimball than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kimball gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2003.
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 Kimball 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
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 Kimball’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kimball, and Kimball’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kimball’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $971K a year in losses across Kimball: $528K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kimball flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kimball, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains6 claims · $70K
Kimball 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kimball
Disasters that paid out in Kimball itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kimball), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$44K to the Town of Kimball for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Marion County has had 19 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Kimball after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kimball archive →Kimball and its neighbors
Kimball is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pittsburg | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Kimball | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Jasper | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Kimball 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.
- 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 Kimball
Is Kimball at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kimball has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kimball flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Kimball since 2003, $118K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Heavy rains (6).
Is Kimball 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, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kimball?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kimball’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 Kimball?
By FEMA money that reached Kimball, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2020): $44K to the Town of Kimball for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 6 paid, $70K.
Is Kimball at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Kimball’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kimball.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kimball’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.