Photo: Robert Nunnally (flickr user: gurdonark) · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Gurdon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gurdon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.
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 Gurdon 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Earthquakes
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 Gurdon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gurdon, and Gurdon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gurdon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $854K a year in losses across Gurdon: $539K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gurdon flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gurdon, from FEMA’s records: 9.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gurdon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gurdon
Disasters that paid out in Gurdon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gurdon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$204K to the City of Gurdon for repairs
Clark County has had 19 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 Gurdon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gurdon archive →Get ready for what Gurdon 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Gurdon
Is Gurdon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gurdon has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gurdon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Gurdon since 1979, $290K in all, or 9.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gurdon 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 Clark County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gurdon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gurdon’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 Gurdon?
By FEMA money that reached Gurdon, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $204K to the City of Gurdon for repairs.
Is Gurdon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Gurdon’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gurdon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gurdon’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.