Photo: Drowzy at English Wikipedia · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Eminence
Eminence isn’t graded for hazard risk: Eminence has 388 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1997.
What Eminence 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
Tornadoes
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.
Does Eminence flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eminence, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring severe storms2 claims · $15K
- The March storm2 claims · $8K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $17K
Eminence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shannon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eminence
Disasters that paid out in Eminence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eminence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding41 households applied for aid$263K aid approved$347K to the City of Eminence for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$32K to the City of Eminence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$38K to the City of Eminence for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$128K to the City of Eminence for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Eminence for repairs
Shannon 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 Eminence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eminence archive →Get ready for what Eminence 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.
- 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.
- 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 Eminence
Does Eminence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Eminence since 1997, $114K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (2).
Is Eminence 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 Shannon County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Eminence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eminence’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 Eminence?
By FEMA money that reached Eminence, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 41 households applied for aid, $263K approved, and $347K to the City of Eminence for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 2 paid, $15K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eminence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eminence’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.