Photo: Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Parsons than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parsons gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 204 claims here since 1978.
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 Parsons’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parsons 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
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 Parsons’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parsons, and Parsons’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Parsons’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $937K a year in losses across Parsons: $866K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parsons flood? Yes: 204 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parsons, from FEMA’s records: 294.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parsons is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tucker County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parsons
Disasters that paid out in Parsons itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parsons), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$27K to the City of Parsons for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the City of Parsons for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and$8K to the City of Parsons for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$16K to the City of Parsons for repairs
Tucker County has had 19 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 Parsons after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parsons archive →Get ready for what Parsons 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.
- 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.
- Parsons residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Parsons
Is Parsons at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parsons has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parsons flood?
Flood insurance has paid 204 claims in Parsons since 1978, $6.2M in all, or 294.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Parsons 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 Tucker County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Parsons?
Parsons is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Parsons?
By FEMA money that reached Parsons, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $27K to the City of Parsons for repairs.
Is Parsons at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Parsons’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parsons.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parsons’ 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.