Storms, floods and disasters in West Hamlin
West Hamlin isn’t graded for hazard risk: West Hamlin has 567 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1978.
What West Hamlin 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 West Hamlin flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Hamlin, from FEMA’s records.
West Hamlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Hamlin
Disasters that paid out in West Hamlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Hamlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of West Hamlin for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$7K to the Town of West Hamlin for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Lanslides3 households applied for aid$365 aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides42 households applied for aid$126K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides23 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
Lincoln County has had 32 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of West Hamlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hamlin archive →Get ready for what West Hamlin 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 West Hamlin
Does West Hamlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in West Hamlin since 1978, $14K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is West Hamlin 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 Lincoln County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Hamlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Hamlin’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 West Hamlin?
By FEMA money that reached West Hamlin, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 42 households applied for aid, $126K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hamlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hamlin’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.