Photo: User:Brandonrush, Michaelkrewson, Doug Wertman, Alfred Carrillo, flickr user Learning Lark · CC BY-SA 3.0Bella Vista’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bella Vista gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #22 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2013.
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 Bella Vista 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
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 Bella Vista’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bella Vista, and Bella Vista’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #22 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bella Vista’s residents live in 8 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, Bella Vista has less expected damage per building than 83% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Bella Vista: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bella Vista flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bella Vista, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $1K
Bella Vista isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bella Vista
Disasters that paid out in Bella Vista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bella Vista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding51 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$20K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$152K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$7K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$288K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding30 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$139K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$135 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$147K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$407 aid approved
Benton 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 Bella Vista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bella Vista archive →Bella Vista and its neighbors
Bella Vista is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Bella Vista | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gravette | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Bella Vista 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.
- 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 Bella Vista
Is Bella Vista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bella Vista has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #22 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bella Vista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bella Vista since 2013, $24K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Bella Vista 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 Benton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bella Vista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bella Vista’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 Bella Vista?
By FEMA money that reached Bella Vista, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $288K to the City of Bella Vista for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Bella Vista at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Bella Vista’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bella Vista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bella Vista’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.