Photo: Krelorian1917 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gosnell than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gosnell gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #95 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1997.
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 Gosnell 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
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 Gosnell’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gosnell, and Gosnell’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #95 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gosnell’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, Gosnell has more expected damage per building than 77% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Gosnell: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gosnell flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gosnell, from FEMA’s records: 13.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $17K
Gosnell 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gosnell
Disasters that paid out in Gosnell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gosnell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$160K to the City of Gosnell 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 Gosnell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gosnell archive →Gosnell and its neighbors
Gosnell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gosnell | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Blytheville | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 23 |
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 Gosnell 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.
- 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 Gosnell
Is Gosnell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gosnell has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #95 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gosnell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Gosnell since 1997, $312K in all, or 13.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Gosnell 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 Gosnell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gosnell’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 Gosnell?
By FEMA money that reached Gosnell, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $160K to the City of Gosnell for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Gosnell at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Gosnell’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gosnell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gosnell’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.