Photo: Ron Reiring · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Clarksville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #74 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then ice storms (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Clarksville 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
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 Clarksville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksville, and Clarksville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #74 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksville’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, Clarksville has more expected damage per building than 60% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Clarksville: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarksville, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clarksville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksville
Disasters that paid out in Clarksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding116 households applied for aid$350K aid approved$194K to the City of Clarksville for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$8K to the City of Clarksville for repairs
Johnson County has had 20 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 Clarksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarksville archive →Clarksville and its neighbors
Clarksville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lamar | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Clarksville 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.
- 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 Clarksville
Is Clarksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #74 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clarksville since 2021, $8K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clarksville 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 Johnson County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarksville’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 Clarksville?
By FEMA money that reached Clarksville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 116 households applied for aid, $350K approved, and $194K to the City of Clarksville for repairs.
Is Clarksville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Clarksville’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarksville’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.