Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Paragould’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paragould gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #106 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (42%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 151 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 Paragould’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Paragould 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
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.
What’s behind Paragould’s grade
Earthquakes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paragould, and Paragould’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #106 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paragould’s residents live in 10 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, Paragould has more expected damage per building than 86% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.7M a year in losses across Paragould: $12.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paragould flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paragould, from FEMA’s records: 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $9K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $37K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $12K
Paragould isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paragould
Disasters that paid out in Paragould itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Paragould), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$45K to the City of Paragould for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes75 households applied for aid$144K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding46 households applied for aid$196K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$58K to the City of Paragould for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$23K to the City of Paragould for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$2K to the City of Paragould for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$28K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$100K to the City of Paragould for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Greene County has had 23 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 Paragould after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paragould archive →Get ready for what Paragould 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.
- 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 Paragould
Is Paragould at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paragould has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #106 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (42%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paragould flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Paragould since 1979, $864K in all, or 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (3).
Is Paragould 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 Greene County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paragould?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paragould’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 Paragould?
By FEMA money that reached Paragould, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 29 households applied for aid, $320K approved, and $45K to the City of Paragould for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $9K.
Is Paragould at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Paragould’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paragould.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paragould’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.