Calloway Manes Homestead · Photo: Treasureoak613 · CC BY-SA 4.0Richland’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Richland 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
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 Richland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richland, and Richland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richland’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $855K a year in losses across Richland: $341K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Richland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Richland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richland
Disasters that paid out in Richland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Richland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$29K to the City of Richland for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$191K to the City of Richland for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$676 aid approved
Pulaski 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 Richland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richland archive →Get ready for what Richland 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.
- 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 Richland
Is Richland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Richland 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 Pulaski County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richland’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 Richland?
By FEMA money that reached Richland, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $191K to the City of Richland for repairs.
Is Richland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Richland’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richland’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.