Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Tolar’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tolar gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then wildfire (25%). 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 stands out about Tolar’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tolar 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
Wildfire
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 Tolar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tolar, and Tolar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tolar’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $500K a year in losses across Tolar: $277K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tolar flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tolar. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tolar isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hood County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tolar
Disasters that paid out in Tolar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tolar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms20 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Hood 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hood County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Tolar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tolar archive →Get ready for what Tolar 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Tolar
Is Tolar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tolar has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and wildfire (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tolar 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 Hood County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tolar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tolar’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 Tolar?
By FEMA money that reached Tolar, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2016): 9 households applied for aid, $34K approved.
Is Tolar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Tolar’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tolar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tolar’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.