Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Linden than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linden gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1991.
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 Linden 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
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 Linden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linden, and Linden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Linden’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $799K a year in losses across Linden: $495K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linden flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Linden, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms8 claims · $515K
Linden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linden
Disasters that paid out in Linden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Linden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm63 households applied for aid$287K aid approved$101K to the Town of Linden for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$63K to the Town of Linden for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$52K to the Town of Linden for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm and Straight-line Winds$11K to the Town of Linden for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$56K to the Town of Linden for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Linden for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes446 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$91K to the Town of Linden for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$30K to the Town of Linden for repairs
Perry 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.
Old photos of Linden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linden archive →Get ready for what Linden 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.
- 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 Linden
Is Linden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linden has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Linden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Linden since 1991, $515K in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (8).
Is Linden 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 Perry County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linden’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 Linden?
By FEMA money that reached Linden, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 446 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $91K to the Town of Linden for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 8 paid, $515K.
Is Linden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Linden’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linden’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.