Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Dermott than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dermott gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1989.
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 Dermott 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 Dermott’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dermott, and Dermott’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dermott’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $977K a year in losses across Dermott: $574K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dermott flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dermott, from FEMA’s records: 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dermott isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chicot County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dermott
Disasters that paid out in Dermott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dermott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding1 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Chicot County has had 14 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 Dermott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dermott archive →Get ready for what Dermott 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 Dermott
Is Dermott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dermott has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dermott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Dermott since 1989, $87K in all, or 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Dermott 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 Chicot County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dermott?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dermott’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 Dermott?
By FEMA money that reached Dermott, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 1 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Dermott at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Dermott’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dermott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dermott’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.