Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Clarksdale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksdale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #64 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 74 claims here since 1980.
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 Clarksdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clarksdale 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.
What’s behind Clarksdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksdale, and Clarksdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 36% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #64 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksdale’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clarksdale has more expected damage per building than 63% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Clarksdale: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksdale flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarksdale, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms32 claims · $2.6M
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $90K
Clarksdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coahoma County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksdale
Disasters that paid out in Clarksdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarksdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,892 households applied for aid$8.4M aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$354K to the City of Clarksdale for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding266 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$186K to the City of Clarksdale for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding203 households applied for aid$288K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding29 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding70 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$44K to the City of Clarksdale for repairs
Coahoma County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Clarksdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarksdale archive →Clarksdale and its neighbors
Clarksdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksdale | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Lyon | — | 386 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 Clarksdale 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 Clarksdale
Is Clarksdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksdale has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #64 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarksdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in Clarksdale since 1980, $3.1M in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (32).
Is Clarksdale 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 Coahoma County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarksdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarksdale’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 Clarksdale?
By FEMA money that reached Clarksdale, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 2,892 households applied for aid, $8.4M approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 32 paid, $2.6M.
Is Clarksdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Clarksdale’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarksdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarksdale’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.