On FEMA’s figures, Hamshire faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamshire gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (39%), then river and rain flooding (27%). 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 Hamshire 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
Coastal flooding
Wildfire
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 Hamshire’s grade
Hurricanes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamshire, and Hamshire’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamshire’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Hamshire: $846K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamshire flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hamshire. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hamshire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamshire
Disasters that paid out in Hamshire itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hamshire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl33 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms14 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda241 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey429 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike439 households applied for aid$617K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita720 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hamshire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamshire archive →Get ready for what Hamshire 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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 Hamshire
Is Hamshire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamshire has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (39%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hamshire 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hamshire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamshire’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 Hamshire?
By FEMA money that reached Hamshire, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 429 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved.
Is Hamshire at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Hamshire’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamshire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamshire’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.