Photo: Dennis Adams, National Scenic Byways Online · Public domainFEMA puts Piggott’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piggott gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #101 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1986.
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 Piggott’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Piggott 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 Piggott’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Piggott, and Piggott’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #101 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Piggott’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, Piggott has more expected damage per building than 82% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Piggott: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Piggott flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Piggott, from FEMA’s records: 13.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $27K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $13K
Piggott isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Piggott
Disasters that paid out in Piggott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Piggott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$376K to the City of Piggott for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$34K to the City of Piggott for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$41K to the City of Piggott for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Piggott for repairs
Clay County has had 20 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 Piggott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Piggott archive →Get ready for what Piggott 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 Piggott
Is Piggott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piggott has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #101 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Piggott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Piggott since 1986, $327K in all, or 13.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Piggott 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 Clay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Piggott?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Piggott’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 Piggott?
By FEMA money that reached Piggott, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $376K to the City of Piggott for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $27K.
Is Piggott at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Piggott’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Piggott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Piggott’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.