Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0Cresson’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cresson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then wildfire (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Cresson 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Cresson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cresson, and Cresson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cresson’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $583K a year in losses across Cresson: $302K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cresson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cresson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cresson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cresson
Disasters that paid out in Cresson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cresson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms33 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$247 aid approved
Johnson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. 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 Johnson County, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Cresson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cresson archive →Get ready for what Cresson 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Cresson
Is Cresson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cresson has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and wildfire (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cresson 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 Johnson County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cresson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cresson’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 Cresson?
By FEMA money that reached Cresson, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 33 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Cresson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Cresson’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cresson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cresson’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.