Photo: Mark Levisay · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Stanley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2003.
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 Stanley 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
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.
What’s behind Stanley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stanley, and Stanley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stanley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $445K a year in losses across Stanley: $311K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stanley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stanley, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $3K
Stanley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Page County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Stanley
Disasters that paid out in Stanley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stanley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel146 households applied for aid$286K aid approved$22K to the Town of Stanley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
Page County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Page County, 2002–2002.
Old photos of Stanley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stanley archive →Get ready for what Stanley 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.
- 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 Stanley
Is Stanley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanley has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stanley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Stanley since 2003, $3K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Stanley 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 Page County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stanley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stanley’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 Stanley?
By FEMA money that reached Stanley, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 146 households applied for aid, $286K approved, and $22K to the Town of Stanley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Stanley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Stanley’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stanley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stanley’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.