Photo: RebelAt at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Anderson than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 2001.
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 Anderson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Anderson 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
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 Anderson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anderson, and Anderson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anderson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Anderson: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Anderson flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anderson, from FEMA’s records: 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms4 claims · $208K
- The March storm2 claims · $113K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $91K
Anderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McDonald County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anderson
Disasters that paid out in Anderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$269K aid approved$133K to the City of Anderson for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding85 households applied for aid$300K aid approved$186K to the City of Anderson for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$60K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$3K to the City of Anderson for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$39K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$2K to the City of Anderson for repairs
McDonald 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 Anderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anderson archive →Anderson and its neighbors
Anderson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Pineville | — | 736 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 Anderson 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.
- 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 Anderson
Is Anderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Anderson since 2001, $1.2M in all, or 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (4).
Is Anderson 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 McDonald County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Anderson’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 Anderson?
By FEMA money that reached Anderson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 85 households applied for aid, $300K approved, and $186K to the City of Anderson for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 4 paid, $208K.
Is Anderson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Anderson’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anderson’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.