Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Caruthersville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caruthersville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (65%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 Caruthersville 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 Caruthersville’s grade
Earthquakes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Caruthersville, and Caruthersville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #247 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Caruthersville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Caruthersville has more expected damage per building than 100% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Caruthersville: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Caruthersville flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Caruthersville, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $47K
Caruthersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pemiscot County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Caruthersville
Disasters that paid out in Caruthersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Caruthersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1.0M to the City of Caruthersville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$81K to the City of Caruthersville for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding96 households applied for aid$150K aid approved$317K to the City of Caruthersville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$230K to the City of Caruthersville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Caruthersville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,181 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Caruthersville for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
Pemiscot County has had 21 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 Caruthersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Caruthersville archive →Get ready for what Caruthersville 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 Caruthersville
Is Caruthersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caruthersville has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (65%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Caruthersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Caruthersville since 1978, $284K in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Caruthersville 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 Pemiscot County, 4.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Caruthersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Caruthersville’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 Caruthersville?
By FEMA money that reached Caruthersville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2006): 1,181 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $1.3M to the City of Caruthersville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $47K.
Is Caruthersville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Caruthersville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Caruthersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Caruthersville’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.