Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clarksville than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from ice storms
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (88%). 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 Clarksville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
River and rain flooding
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 Clarksville’s grade
Ice storms are 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksville, and Clarksville’s rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #642 of 642 in Texas; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clarksville has more expected damage per building than 100% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Clarksville: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clarksville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clarksville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Red River County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksville
Disasters that paid out in Clarksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$108K to the City of Clarksville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$205K to the City of Clarksville for repairs
Red River 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 Clarksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarksville archive →Get ready for what Clarksville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Clarksville
Is Clarksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (88%) and river and rain flooding (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clarksville 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 Red River County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clarksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarksville’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 Clarksville?
By FEMA money that reached Clarksville, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $205K to the City of Clarksville for repairs.
Is Clarksville at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Clarksville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarksville’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.