Less hazard damage per building is expected in Huntington than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 Huntington 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
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 Huntington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Huntington, and Huntington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Huntington’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $522K a year in losses across Huntington: $286K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Huntington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Huntington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Huntington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Angelina County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Huntington
Disasters that paid out in Huntington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Huntington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms216 households applied for aid$152K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding17 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike563 households applied for aid$171K aid approved$78K to the City of Huntington for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,514 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$82K to the City of Huntington for repairs
Angelina County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Huntington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Huntington archive →Get ready for what Huntington 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Huntington
Is Huntington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntington has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Huntington 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 Angelina County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Huntington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Huntington’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 Huntington?
By FEMA money that reached Huntington, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,514 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $82K to the City of Huntington for repairs.
Is Huntington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Huntington’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Huntington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Huntington’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.