Photo: User:Brandonrush, User:Chrislitherland · Public domainFEMA puts Osceola’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osceola gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #119 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (74%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2003.
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 Osceola 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
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 Osceola’s grade
Earthquakes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Osceola, and Osceola’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #119 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Osceola’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, Osceola has more expected damage per building than 97% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Osceola: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Osceola flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Osceola, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $164
Osceola 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 Osceola
Disasters that paid out in Osceola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Osceola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding79 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$149K to the City of Osceola for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$84K to the City of Osceola for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$89K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$24K to the City of Osceola for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$54K to the City of Osceola 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 Osceola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Osceola archive →Get ready for what Osceola 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.
- 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 Osceola
Is Osceola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osceola has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #119 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (74%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Osceola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Osceola since 2003, $354K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Osceola 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 Osceola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Osceola’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 Osceola?
By FEMA money that reached Osceola, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 79 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $149K to the City of Osceola for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $164.
Is Osceola at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Osceola’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Osceola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Osceola’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.