Less hazard damage per building is expected in Exeter than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1990.
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 Exeter 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
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 Exeter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Exeter, and Exeter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Exeter’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Exeter: $627K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Exeter flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Exeter, from FEMA’s records: 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $7K
Exeter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Green County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Exeter
Disasters that paid out in Exeter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Exeter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$5K to the Town of Exeter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$3K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
Green County has had 14 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 Exeter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Exeter archive →Exeter and its neighbors
Exeter is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Belleville | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brooklyn | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Exeter | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Glarus | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mount Pleasant | — | 468 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Exeter 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.
- 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 Exeter
Is Exeter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Exeter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Exeter since 1990, $51K in all, or 11.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Exeter 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 Green County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Exeter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Exeter’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 Exeter?
By FEMA money that reached Exeter, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $7K to the Town of Exeter for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Exeter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Exeter’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Exeter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Exeter’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.