Photo: Adam Moss from Macomb, IL, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Uncertain
Uncertain isn’t graded for hazard risk: Uncertain has 90 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1987.
What Uncertain 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
Ice storms
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 Uncertain flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Uncertain, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter severe storms7 claims · $441K
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $10K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $3K
Uncertain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Uncertain
Disasters that paid out in Uncertain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Uncertain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$28K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
Harrison County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Uncertain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Uncertain archive →Get ready for what Uncertain 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Uncertain
Does Uncertain flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Uncertain since 1987, $940K in all. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (7).
Is Uncertain 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 Harrison County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Uncertain?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Uncertain’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 Uncertain?
By FEMA money that reached Uncertain, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2016): 6 households applied for aid, $28K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 7 paid, $441K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Uncertain.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Uncertain’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.