Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Arkadelphia than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkadelphia gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #49 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
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 Arkadelphia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arkadelphia 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
Earthquakes
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 Arkadelphia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arkadelphia, and Arkadelphia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #49 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arkadelphia’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, Arkadelphia has less expected damage per building than 61% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Arkadelphia: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arkadelphia flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arkadelphia, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Arkadelphia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clark County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arkadelphia
Disasters that paid out in Arkadelphia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arkadelphia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$175K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$107K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$25K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav$16K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$27K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$4K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$329K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs
Clark County has had 19 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 Arkadelphia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arkadelphia archive →Arkadelphia and its neighbors
Arkadelphia has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkadelphia | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Caddo Valley | — | 775 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Arkadelphia 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Arkadelphia 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 Arkadelphia
Is Arkadelphia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkadelphia has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #49 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and ice storms (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arkadelphia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Arkadelphia since 1979, $192K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Arkadelphia 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 Clark County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arkadelphia?
Arkadelphia 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 Arkadelphia?
By FEMA money that reached Arkadelphia, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $329K to the City of Arkadelphia for repairs.
Is Arkadelphia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Arkadelphia’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arkadelphia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arkadelphia’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.