Storms, floods and disasters in Wells
Wells isn’t graded for hazard risk: Wells has 484 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Wells 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Wells flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wells. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wells isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wells
Disasters that paid out in Wells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding13 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike79 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$13K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Cherokee 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 Wells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wells archive →Get ready for what Wells 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Wells
Is Wells 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 Cherokee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wells’ 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 Wells?
By FEMA money that reached Wells, Hurricane Ike (2008): 79 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $13K to the Town of Wells for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wells’ 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.