Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hughes
Hughes isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hughes has 886 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2001.
What Hughes 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Hughes flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hughes, from FEMA’s records.
Hughes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Francis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hughes
Disasters that paid out in Hughes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hughes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$221K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding6 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$1K to the City of Hughes for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$27K to the City of Hughes for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$24K to the City of Hughes for repairs
St. Francis County has had 17 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 Hughes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hughes archive →Get ready for what Hughes 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hughes
Does Hughes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hughes since 2001, $8K in all.
Is Hughes 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 St. Francis County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hughes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hughes’ 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 Hughes?
By FEMA money that reached Hughes, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 35 households applied for aid, $221K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hughes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hughes’ 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.