Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5Storms, floods and disasters in Clay
Clay isn’t graded for hazard risk: Clay has 378 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
What Clay 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.
Does Clay flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clay, from FEMA’s records.
- The Summer severe storms2 claims · $171K
Clay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clay
Disasters that paid out in Clay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides167 households applied for aid$871K aid approved$20K to the Town of Clay for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$5K to the Town of Clay for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds28 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$15K to the Town of Clay for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Clay for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides9 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides12 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$318K to the Town of Clay for repairs
Clay County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clay County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Clay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clay archive →Get ready for what Clay 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 Clay
Does Clay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Clay since 1979, $178K in all. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (2).
Is Clay 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 Clay County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clay’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 Clay?
By FEMA money that reached Clay, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 167 households applied for aid, $871K approved, and $20K to the Town of Clay for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 2 paid, $171K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clay’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.