Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Bay faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bay gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2001.
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 Bay faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
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 Bay’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bay, and Bay’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bay’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Bay: $624K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bay flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bay, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $6K
Bay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Craighead County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bay
Disasters that paid out in Bay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$5K to the City of Bay for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$88K to the City of Bay for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$7K to the City of Bay for repairs
Craighead County has had 23 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 Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bay archive →Bay and its neighbors
Bay is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 232 |
| Bay | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 7 |
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 Bay faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Bay
Is Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bay has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Bay since 2001, $57K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Bay 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 Craighead County, 2.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bay’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 Bay?
By FEMA money that reached Bay, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $88K to the City of Bay for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Bay at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Bay’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bay’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.