Alma’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #35 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then ice storms (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2020.
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 Alma 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Alma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alma, and Alma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #35 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alma’s residents live in 3 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, Alma has less expected damage per building than 72% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Alma: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alma flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alma, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alma
Disasters that paid out in Alma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding508 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$30K to the City of Alma for repairs
Crawford County has had 20 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 Alma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alma archive →Get ready for what Alma 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Alma
Is Alma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alma has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #35 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Alma since 2020, $161K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alma 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 Crawford County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alma’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 Alma?
By FEMA money that reached Alma, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 508 households applied for aid, $97K approved, and $30K to the City of Alma for repairs.
Is Alma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Alma’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alma’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.