On FEMA’s figures, Caraway faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caraway gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 stands out about Caraway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Caraway 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
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 Caraway’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Caraway, and Caraway’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Caraway’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Caraway: $635K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Caraway flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Caraway, from FEMA’s records: 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Caraway 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Caraway
Disasters that paid out in Caraway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Caraway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of Caraway for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$5K to the City of Caraway for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Caraway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Caraway archive →Get ready for what Caraway 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.
- 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 Caraway
Is Caraway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caraway has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (20%). 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 Caraway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Caraway since 1978, $124K in all, or 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Caraway 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 Caraway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Caraway’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 Caraway?
By FEMA money that reached Caraway, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $49K to the City of Caraway for repairs.
Is Caraway at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Caraway’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Caraway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Caraway’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.