FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Alexander than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexander gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #54 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (14%). 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 Alexander 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Alexander’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alexander, and Alexander’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #54 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alexander’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alexander has less expected damage per building than 57% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Alexander: $641K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alexander flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Alexander. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Alexander isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alexander
Disasters that paid out in Alexander itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alexander), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding111 households applied for aid$149K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding20 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$514 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Saline County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Alexander after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexander archive →Alexander and its neighbors
Alexander is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Hills | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Bryant | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Alexander | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Little Rock | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 646 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alexander 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Alexander
Is Alexander at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexander has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #54 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Alexander 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 Saline County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alexander?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alexander’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 Alexander?
By FEMA money that reached Alexander, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 111 households applied for aid, $149K approved.
Is Alexander at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Alexander’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexander.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alexander’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.