Cumberland Presbyterian Church · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Clarendon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1983.
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 Clarendon 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
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 Clarendon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarendon, and Clarendon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clarendon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Clarendon: $726K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarendon flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarendon, from FEMA’s records: 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $23K
Clarendon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarendon
Disasters that paid out in Clarendon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarendon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding43 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$46K to the City of Clarendon for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Clarendon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$81K to the City of Clarendon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$32K to the City of Clarendon for repairs
Monroe County has had 22 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 Clarendon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarendon archive →Get ready for what Clarendon 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.
- 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 Clarendon
Is Clarendon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (31%). 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 Clarendon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Clarendon since 1983, $68K in all, or 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Clarendon 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 Monroe County, 2.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clarendon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarendon’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 Clarendon?
By FEMA money that reached Clarendon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 43 households applied for aid, $72K approved, and $46K to the City of Clarendon for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $23K.
Is Clarendon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Clarendon’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarendon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarendon’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.