Photo: Dr. Blazer · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Dyess
Dyess isn’t graded for hazard risk: Dyess has 289 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1987.
What Dyess 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
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.
Does Dyess flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dyess, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $18K
Dyess isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mississippi County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dyess
Disasters that paid out in Dyess itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dyess), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$517K to the Town of Dyess for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$4K to the Town of Dyess for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Dyess for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the Town of Dyess for repairs
Mississippi 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 Dyess after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dyess archive →Get ready for what Dyess 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.
- 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 Dyess
Does Dyess flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Dyess since 1987, $25K in all. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Dyess 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 Mississippi County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dyess?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dyess’ 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 Dyess?
By FEMA money that reached Dyess, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): $517K to the Town of Dyess for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $18K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dyess.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dyess’ 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.