More hazard damage per building is expected in Hamlin than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamlin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1980.
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 Hamlin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hamlin 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
Hail
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 Hamlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamlin, and Hamlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hamlin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Hamlin: $930K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamlin flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamlin, from FEMA’s records: 44.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Erin21 claims · $1.7M
Hamlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamlin
Disasters that paid out in Hamlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms46 households applied for aid$22K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin201 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved21 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
Jones County has had 18 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jones County, 2018–2018.
Old photos of Hamlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamlin archive →Get ready for what Hamlin 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hamlin
Is Hamlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamlin has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hail (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Hamlin since 1980, $3.0M in all, or 44.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Erin (21).
Is Hamlin 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 Jones County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamlin’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 Hamlin?
By FEMA money that reached Hamlin, Tropical Storm Erin (2007): 201 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Erin: 21 paid, $1.7M.
Is Hamlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Hamlin’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamlin’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.