Storms, floods and disasters in Nome
Nome isn’t graded for hazard risk: Nome has 253 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 2001.
What Nome faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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.
Does Nome flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nome, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Imelda29 claims · $2.1M
- Hurricane Harvey11 claims · $1.1M
- Tropical Storm Allison4 claims · $119K
Nome isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nome
Disasters that paid out in Nome itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nome), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl26 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms6 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$4K to the City of Nome for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda68 households applied for aid$414K aid approved29 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey239 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$302K to the City of Nome for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2008Hurricane Ike234 households applied for aid$361K aid approved$52K to the City of Nome for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita403 households applied for aid$720K aid approved$13K to the City of Nome for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Nome after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nome archive →Get ready for what Nome faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Nome
Does Nome flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Nome since 2001, $3.3M in all. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Imelda (29).
Is Nome 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Nome?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nome’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 Nome?
By FEMA money that reached Nome, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 239 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $302K to the City of Nome for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Imelda: 29 paid, $2.1M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nome.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nome’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.