Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Manila’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manila gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #71 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2019.
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 Manila 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
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 Manila’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manila, and Manila’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #71 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manila’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, Manila has more expected damage per building than 57% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Manila: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manila flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manila, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $20K
Manila 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manila
Disasters that paid out in Manila itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manila), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$20K to the City of Manila for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$329K to the City of Manila for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding22 households applied for aid$176K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$203K to the City of Manila for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$12K to the City of Manila 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 Manila after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manila archive →Get ready for what Manila 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.
- 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 Manila
Is Manila at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manila has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #71 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manila flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Manila since 2019, $24K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Manila 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 Manila?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manila’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 Manila?
By FEMA money that reached Manila, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $329K to the City of Manila for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Manila at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Manila’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manila.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manila’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.