Photo: NatalieMaynor · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Pocahontas’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocahontas gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #90 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (42%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 88 claims here since 1978.
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 Pocahontas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas’ grade
Earthquakes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pocahontas, and Pocahontas’ rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #90 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pocahontas’ 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, Pocahontas has more expected damage per building than 73% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Pocahontas: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pocahontas flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pocahontas, from FEMA’s records: 28.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms52 claims · $3.2M
- The Mid-spring storms17 claims · $413K
- The March storm2 claims · $33K
Pocahontas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pocahontas
Disasters that paid out in Pocahontas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pocahontas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes27 households applied for aid$247K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$30K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding182 households applied for aid$785K aid approved$260K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$76K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding285 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$287K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$381K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$25K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding88 households applied for aid$303K aid approved$93K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes248 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$46K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$31K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs
Randolph County has had 22 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 Pocahontas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pocahontas archive →Get ready for what Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas
Is Pocahontas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocahontas has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #90 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (42%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pocahontas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Pocahontas since 1978, $3.8M in all, or 28.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (52).
Is Pocahontas 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 Randolph County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pocahontas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pocahontas’ 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 Pocahontas?
By FEMA money that reached Pocahontas, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 285 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $287K to the City of Pocahontas for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 52 paid, $3.2M.
Is Pocahontas at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Pocahontas’ rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pocahontas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pocahontas’ 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.