Photo: Hot Furnace · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hawkins than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawkins gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then ice storms (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 Hawkins 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
Ice storms
Hail
Strong wind
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 Hawkins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hawkins, and Hawkins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hawkins’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $584K a year in losses across Hawkins: $244K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hawkins flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hawkins. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hawkins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wood County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hawkins
Disasters that paid out in Hawkins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hawkins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms58 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
Wood County has had 10 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wood County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Hawkins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hawkins archive →Get ready for what Hawkins 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hawkins
Is Hawkins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hawkins has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and ice storms (21%). 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.
Is Hawkins 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 Wood County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hawkins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hawkins’ 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 Hawkins?
By FEMA money that reached Hawkins, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 20 households applied for aid, $53K approved.
Is Hawkins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Hawkins’ rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hawkins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hawkins’ 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.