Brooks-Brown House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Penhook than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Penhook gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Penhook 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 Penhook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Penhook, and Penhook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Penhook’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $283K a year in losses across Penhook: $250K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Penhook flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Penhook. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Penhook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Penhook
Disasters that paid out in Penhook itself (aid to households or repair grants to Penhook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Franklin County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Penhook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Penhook archive →Penhook and its neighbors
Penhook has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penhook | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Union Hall | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North Shore | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Penhook 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 Penhook
Is Penhook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Penhook has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Penhook 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 Franklin County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Penhook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Penhook’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 Penhook?
By FEMA money that reached Penhook, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 3 households applied for aid, $1K approved.
Is Penhook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Penhook’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Penhook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Penhook’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.