Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Clarksville faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksville, and Clarksville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $476K a year in losses across Clarksville: $367K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarksville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $1K
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: Mecklenburg County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksville
Disasters that paid out in Clarksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clarksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$63K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$44K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel15 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$17K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$5K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs
Mecklenburg County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. 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.
- 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clarksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clarksville since 1996, $1K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
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 Mecklenburg County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
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, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $63K to the Town of Clarksville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Clarksville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Clarksville’s rate for it is lower than 62% 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.