Storms, floods and disasters in Donaldson
Donaldson isn’t graded for hazard risk: Donaldson has 377 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
What Donaldson 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.
Does Donaldson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Donaldson, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $175K
Donaldson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hot Spring County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Donaldson
Disasters that paid out in Donaldson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Donaldson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$6K to the Town of Donaldson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1K to the Town of Donaldson for repairs
Hot Spring County has had 15 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 Donaldson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Donaldson archive →Get ready for what Donaldson 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 Donaldson
Does Donaldson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Donaldson since 2025, $175K in all. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Donaldson 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 Hot Spring County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Donaldson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Donaldson’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 Donaldson?
By FEMA money that reached Donaldson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 11 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $6K to the Town of Donaldson for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $175K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Donaldson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Donaldson’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.