Beebe Railroad Station · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Beebe than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beebe gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #99 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1997.
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 Beebe 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Beebe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beebe, and Beebe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #99 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beebe’s residents live in 2 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, Beebe has more expected damage per building than 80% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Beebe: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beebe flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beebe, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $49K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $3K
Beebe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: White County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beebe
Disasters that paid out in Beebe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beebe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding75 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$261K to the City of Beebe for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$12K to the City of Beebe for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding61 households applied for aid$193K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$59K to the City of Beebe for repairs
- 1999Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99$528K to the City of Beebe for repairs
White County has had 24 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 Beebe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beebe archive →Get ready for what Beebe 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.
- 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.
- 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 Beebe
Is Beebe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beebe has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #99 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beebe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Beebe since 1997, $242K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Beebe 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 White County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beebe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beebe’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 Beebe?
By FEMA money that reached Beebe, Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99 (1999): $528K to the City of Beebe for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $49K.
Is Beebe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Beebe’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beebe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beebe’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.