Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Corning than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corning gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #105 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1992.
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 Corning’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Corning 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
Tornadoes
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 Corning’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Corning, and Corning’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #105 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Corning’s residents live in 2 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, Corning has more expected damage per building than 85% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Corning: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Corning flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Corning, from FEMA’s records: 21.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $159K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $27K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $6K
Corning isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Corning
Disasters that paid out in Corning itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Corning), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$84K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding38 households applied for aid$178K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$347K to the City of Corning for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$12K to the City of Corning for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$32K to the City of Corning for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99$2K to the City of Corning for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Clay 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 Corning after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Corning archive →Get ready for what Corning 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.
- 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.
- 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 Corning
Is Corning at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corning has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #105 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Corning flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Corning since 1992, $416K in all, or 21.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (10).
Is Corning 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 Clay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Corning?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Corning’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 Corning?
By FEMA money that reached Corning, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $347K to the City of Corning for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 10 paid, $159K.
Is Corning at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Corning’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Corning.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Corning’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.