Photo: Lothar1976 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hawley
Hawley isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hawley has 572 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1986.
What Hawley 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
Wildfire
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.
Does Hawley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hawley, from FEMA’s records.
Hawley 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hawley
Disasters that paid out in Hawley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hawley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms34 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$9K to the City of Hawley for repairs
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin4 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
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 Hawley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hawley archive →Get ready for what Hawley 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hawley
Does Hawley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hawley since 1986, $7K in all.
Is Hawley 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 Hawley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hawley’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 Hawley?
By FEMA money that reached Hawley, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 43 households applied for aid, $112K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hawley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hawley’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.