Jay Lewis House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, McGehee’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McGehee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #42 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 stands out about McGehee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McGehee 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
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 McGehee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in McGehee, and McGehee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #42 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McGehee’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, McGehee has less expected damage per building than 66% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across McGehee: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McGehee flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McGehee, from FEMA’s records: 57.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms19 claims · $446K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding12 claims · $697K
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $48K
McGehee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Desha County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McGehee
Disasters that paid out in McGehee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McGehee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$21K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$59K to the City of McGehee for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Desha 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 McGehee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McGehee archive →Get ready for what McGehee 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.
- 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 McGehee
Is McGehee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McGehee has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #42 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McGehee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in McGehee since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 57.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (19).
Is McGehee 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 Desha County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McGehee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McGehee’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 McGehee?
By FEMA money that reached McGehee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2016): $59K to the City of McGehee for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 19 paid, $446K.
Is McGehee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and McGehee’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McGehee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McGehee’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.