Saddle Store · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cherokee Village than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherokee Village gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #108 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then ice storms (25%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2008.
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 Cherokee Village 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
Ice storms
Earthquakes
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 Cherokee Village’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cherokee Village, and Cherokee Village’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #108 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cherokee Village’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cherokee Village has more expected damage per building than 88% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Cherokee Village: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cherokee Village flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cherokee Village, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $48K
- The March storm1 claim · $30K
Cherokee Village isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sharp County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cherokee Village
Disasters that paid out in Cherokee Village itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cherokee Village), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding$29K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$200K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$79K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$916K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$5K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$21K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$509 aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$36K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs
Sharp County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Cherokee Village after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cherokee Village archive →Cherokee Village and its neighbors
Cherokee Village is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Cherokee Village 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Cherokee Village
Is Cherokee Village at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherokee Village has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #108 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and ice storms (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cherokee Village flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cherokee Village since 2008, $86K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Cherokee Village 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 Sharp County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cherokee Village?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cherokee Village’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 Cherokee Village?
By FEMA money that reached Cherokee Village, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $916K to the City of Cherokee Village for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $48K.
Is Cherokee Village at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Cherokee Village’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cherokee Village.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cherokee Village’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.