Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Little River-Academy faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little River-Academy gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (19%). 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 Little River-Academy 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
Hail
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 Little River-Academy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little River-Academy, and Little River-Academy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Little River-Academy’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $716K a year in losses across Little River-Academy: $364K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little River-Academy flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Little River-Academy. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Little River-Academy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bell County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little River-Academy
Disasters that paid out in Little River-Academy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Little River-Academy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms36 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Bell County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bell County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of Little River-Academy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little River-Academy archive →Get ready for what Little River-Academy 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.
- 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.
- 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 Little River-Academy
Is Little River-Academy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little River-Academy has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (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.
Is Little River-Academy 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 Bell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Little River-Academy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Little River-Academy’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 Little River-Academy?
By FEMA money that reached Little River-Academy, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 26 households applied for aid, $34K approved.
Is Little River-Academy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Little River-Academy’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little River-Academy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little River-Academy’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.