FEMA puts Preston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Preston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hail (10%). 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 Preston 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Preston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Preston, and Preston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Preston’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Preston: $829K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Preston flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Preston. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Preston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Preston
Disasters that paid out in Preston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Preston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$29K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Preston for repairs
Adams County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Preston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Preston archive →Preston and its neighbors
Preston is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Preston | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Strongs Prairie | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Richfield | — | 158 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Big Flats | — | not graded yet | |
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 Preston 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Preston
Is Preston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Preston has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Preston 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 Adams County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Preston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Preston’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 Preston?
By FEMA money that reached Preston, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2016): $29K to the Town of Preston for repairs.
Is Preston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Preston’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Preston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Preston’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.