Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Harrisburg than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
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 Harrisburg 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
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 Harrisburg’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrisburg, and Harrisburg’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrisburg’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Harrisburg: $757K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrisburg flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrisburg, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Harrisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Poinsett County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrisburg
Disasters that paid out in Harrisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$232K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding10 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$76K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding101 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$134K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$15K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs
Poinsett County has had 26 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 Harrisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrisburg archive →Get ready for what Harrisburg 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.
- 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 Harrisburg
Is Harrisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Harrisburg since 1978, $44K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Harrisburg 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 Poinsett County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harrisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrisburg’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 Harrisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Harrisburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 101 households applied for aid, $152K approved, and $134K to the City of Harrisburg for repairs.
Is Harrisburg at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Harrisburg’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrisburg’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.