Photo: Colinhester · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Marked Tree than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marked Tree gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2001.
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 Marked Tree 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 Marked Tree’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marked Tree, and Marked Tree’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marked Tree’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Marked Tree: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marked Tree flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marked Tree, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms2 claims · $59K
Marked Tree 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marked Tree
Disasters that paid out in Marked Tree itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marked Tree), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$223K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$25K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$20K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$19K to the City of Marked Tree 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 Marked Tree after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marked Tree archive →Get ready for what Marked Tree 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 Marked Tree
Is Marked Tree at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marked Tree has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marked Tree flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Marked Tree since 2001, $85K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% 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 (2).
Is Marked Tree 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 Marked Tree?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marked Tree’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 Marked Tree?
By FEMA money that reached Marked Tree, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): $223K to the City of Marked Tree for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 2 paid, $59K.
Is Marked Tree at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Marked Tree’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marked Tree.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marked Tree’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.