Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Malakoff than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malakoff gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1998.
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 Malakoff 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 Malakoff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malakoff, and Malakoff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Malakoff’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $947K a year in losses across Malakoff: $321K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malakoff flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malakoff, from FEMA’s records: 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $251K
Malakoff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malakoff
Disasters that paid out in Malakoff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Malakoff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding161 households applied for aid$778K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms118 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$19K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding22 households applied for aid$39K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Henderson County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Malakoff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malakoff archive →Malakoff and its neighbors
Malakoff has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malakoff | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Caney City | — | 192 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Trinidad | — | 806 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Malakoff 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 Malakoff
Is Malakoff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malakoff has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malakoff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Malakoff since 1998, $2.0M in all, or 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Malakoff 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 Henderson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Malakoff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malakoff’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 Malakoff?
By FEMA money that reached Malakoff, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 161 households applied for aid, $778K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $251K.
Is Malakoff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Malakoff’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malakoff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malakoff’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.