On FEMA’s figures, Clarks faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarks gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Clarks 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Clarks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarks, and Clarks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clarks’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $414K a year in losses across Clarks: $257K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarks flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clarks. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clarks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caldwell Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarks
Disasters that paid out in Clarks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Clarks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$14K to the Village of Clarks for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$43K to the Village of Clarks for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$49K to the Village of Clarks for repairs
Caldwell Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Clarks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarks archive →Get ready for what Clarks 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Clarks
Is Clarks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarks has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clarks 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 Caldwell Parish, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarks’ 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 Clarks?
By FEMA money that reached Clarks, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 24 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $49K to the Village of Clarks for repairs.
Is Clarks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Clarks’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarks’ 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.