Photo: User:Rmcclen. Original uploader was Rmcclen at en.wikipedia · Public domainFor tornadoes, Benton’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #43 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 64 claims here since 1978.
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 Benton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Benton 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Benton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benton, and Benton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #43 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Benton’s residents live in 14 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, Benton has less expected damage per building than 66% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Benton: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benton flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benton, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Beryl6 claims · $525K
- Hurricane Gustav2 claims · $7K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $337K
Benton 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Benton
Disasters that paid out in Benton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Benton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding123 households applied for aid$333K aid approved$175K to the City of Benton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding105 households applied for aid$251K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$257K to the City of Benton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding35 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$750 to the City of Benton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav$61K to the City of Benton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding296 households applied for aid$986K aid approved$298K to the City of Benton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$697K to the City of Benton for repairs
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 Benton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benton archive →Benton and its neighbors
Benton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Benton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Benton
Is Benton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #43 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Benton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Benton since 1978, $3.1M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Beryl (6).
Is Benton 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 Benton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benton’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 Benton?
By FEMA money that reached Benton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 296 households applied for aid, $986K approved, and $298K to the City of Benton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Beryl: 6 paid, $525K.
Is Benton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Benton’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benton’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.