Photo: GeoffreyLong · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Mason faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1997.
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 Mason 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
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 Mason’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mason, and Mason’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mason’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Mason: $805K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mason flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mason, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $6K
Mason isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mason County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mason
Disasters that paid out in Mason itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mason), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$144K to the City of Mason for repairs
Mason County has had 16 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 Mason after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mason archive →Get ready for what Mason 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.
- 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 Mason
Is Mason at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mason has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mason flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mason since 1997, $29K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Mason 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 Mason County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mason?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mason’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 Mason?
By FEMA money that reached Mason, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): $144K to the City of Mason for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Mason at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Mason’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mason.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mason’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.