Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Clarendon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (25%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 Clarendon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clarendon 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Clarendon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 25% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarendon, and Clarendon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarendon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Clarendon: $944K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarendon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarendon, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clarendon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Donley County.The storms Clarendon remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Donley County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Clarendon itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19951 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19971 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20011 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Donley County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Donley County, 2025–2026.
Old photos of Clarendon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarendon archive →Get ready for what Clarendon 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Clarendon
Is Clarendon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarendon has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (25%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarendon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Clarendon since 1995, $7K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clarendon 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 Donley County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clarendon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarendon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Clarendon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (25%), and Clarendon’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarendon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarendon’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.