Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Parker, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1983.
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 Parker’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parker 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
Earthquakes
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 Parker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parker, and Parker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 140 in Arizona; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parker’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arizona town has higher expected damage than 78% of U.S. towns; within the state, Parker has less expected damage per building than 100% of Arizona towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $746K a year in losses across Parker: $411K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parker flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parker, from FEMA’s records: 18.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parker isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Paz County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Parker
Disasters that paid out in Parker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Parker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Parker for repairs
La Paz County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Parker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parker archive →Parker and its neighbors
Parker has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Bluewater | — | 897 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Parker 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Parker
Is Parker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Parker since 1983, $608K in all, or 18.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Parker 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 La Paz County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Parker?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parker’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 Parker?
By FEMA money that reached Parker, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2010): $5K to the Town of Parker for repairs.
Is Parker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Parker’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parker’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.