Photo: Photolitherland · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Pottsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pottsville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #67 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Pottsville 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Pottsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pottsville, and Pottsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #67 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pottsville’s residents live in 3 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, Pottsville has more expected damage per building than 54% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Pottsville: $819K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pottsville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pottsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pottsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pope County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Pottsville
Disasters that paid out in Pottsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pottsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the City of Pottsville for repairs
Pope County has had 14 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 Pottsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pottsville archive →Pottsville and its neighbors
Pottsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pottsville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Russellville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Pottsville 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Pottsville
Is Pottsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pottsville has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #67 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pottsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pottsville since 2012, $2K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pottsville 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 Pope County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pottsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pottsville’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 Pottsville?
By FEMA money that reached Pottsville, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $3K to the City of Pottsville for repairs.
Is Pottsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Pottsville’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pottsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pottsville’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.