Natural Disasters in Charleston, AR
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
49.4
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
33.4
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
94.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
18.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 93.5 |
| Heat Wave | 86.4 |
| Wildfire | 82.5 |
| Winter Weather | 72.6 |
| Tornado | 64.8 |
| Lightning | 64.2 |
| Earthquake | 62.5 |
| Drought | 58.2 |
| Hail | 54.3 |
| Hurricane | 46.9 |
| Cold Wave | 45.8 |
| Landslide | 38.4 |
| Strong Wind | 30.5 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
27
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
13 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 5, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Aug 27, 2020 | Hurricane | HURRICANE LAURA |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Jun 8, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| May 30, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Feb 5, 2016 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Jun 26, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Jan 6, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jul 8, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| May 2, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING |
| Dec 3, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 6, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 28, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 26, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 2, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jun 30, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| May 7, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVER STORMS, FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES |
| Jan 24, 2002 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 27 declarations
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
108
Total IA Distributed
$203,502
Repair/Replace
$144,426
Rental Assistance
$28,584
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4586 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4441 | 31 | $143,345 | $12,515 |
| DR-4518 | 4 | $20,846 | — |
| DR-1751 | 47 | $17,534 | $866 |
| DR-4226 | 7 | $14,820 | $1,967 |
| DR-4000 | 14 | $4,720 | $1,225 |
| DR-4254 | 4 | $2,238 | $7,362 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
48
Total Claims Paid
$716,057
Avg Claim Payout
$14,918
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$5,930,836
Disasters with PA
9
Total Projects
554
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1751 | Severe Storm(s) | 464 | $3,581,968 |
| DR-4226 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $635,716 |
| DR-4000 | Severe Storm(s) | 16 | $613,443 |
| DR-4441 | Severe Storm(s) | 11 | $502,285 |
| DR-1975 | Severe Storm(s) | 11 | $149,620 |
| DR-4254 | Severe Storm(s) | 4 | $134,388 |
| DR-1861 | Severe Storm(s) | 22 | $128,179 |
| DR-4160 | Severe Ice Storm | 10 | $114,231 |
| DR-1819 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $71,007 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
4
Federal Funding
$1,764,073
Properties Protected
3
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.94
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 3 | $1,742,606 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $21,467 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Charleston has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, heat wave, wildfire. The area has had 27 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (13 declarations). 48 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,930,836 in public assistance recovery funding. $203,502 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.