Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Corrigan than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corrigan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (41%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1989.
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 Corrigan 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
Strong wind
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 Corrigan’s grade
Hurricanes are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Corrigan, and Corrigan’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Corrigan’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $847K a year in losses across Corrigan: $540K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Corrigan flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Corrigan, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms1 claim · $75K
Corrigan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Corrigan
Disasters that paid out in Corrigan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Corrigan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl672 households applied for aid$743K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding270 households applied for aid$611K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms131 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey144 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$54K to the Town of Corrigan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike537 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$237K to the Town of Corrigan for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,256 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$130K to the Town of Corrigan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$12K to the Town of Corrigan for repairs
Polk County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Corrigan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Corrigan archive →Get ready for what Corrigan 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Corrigan
Is Corrigan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corrigan has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (41%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Corrigan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Corrigan since 1989, $135K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (1).
Is Corrigan 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 Polk County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Corrigan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Corrigan’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 Corrigan?
By FEMA money that reached Corrigan, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,256 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $130K to the Town of Corrigan for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 1 paid, $75K.
Is Corrigan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Corrigan’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Corrigan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Corrigan’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.