Summers County Courthouse · Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 3.0 usMore hazard damage per building is expected in Hinton than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1978.
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 Hinton 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 Hinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hinton, and Hinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hinton’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Hinton: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hinton flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hinton, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Summer severe storms2 claims · $19K
Hinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summers County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hinton
Disasters that paid out in Hinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides108 households applied for aid$160K aid approved$15K to the City of Hinton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$7K to the City of Hinton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides136 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$64K to the City of Hinton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$21K to the City of Hinton for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$11K to the City of Hinton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Summers County has had 20 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 Hinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hinton archive →Get ready for what Hinton 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 Hinton
Is Hinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Hinton since 1978, $289K in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (2).
Is Hinton 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 Summers County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hinton’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 Hinton?
By FEMA money that reached Hinton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 136 households applied for aid, $323K approved, and $64K to the City of Hinton for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Hinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Hinton’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hinton’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.