Photo: Alfredo Carrillo · CC BY 2.0Bentonville’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bentonville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #1 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then ice storms (23%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1992.
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 Bentonville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bentonville 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
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 Bentonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bentonville, and Bentonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #1 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bentonville’s residents live in 17 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, Bentonville has less expected damage per building than 100% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.1M a year in losses across Bentonville: $10.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bentonville flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bentonville, 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.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $7K
Bentonville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Benton County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bentonville
Disasters that paid out in Bentonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bentonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding952 households applied for aid$477K aid approved$8.8M to the City of Bentonville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$30K to the City of Bentonville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$204K to the City of Bentonville for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$65K to the City of Bentonville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding35 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$2.8M to the City of Bentonville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$353K to the City of Bentonville for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$57K to the City of Bentonville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$25K to the City of Bentonville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Bentonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bentonville archive →Bentonville and its neighbors
Bentonville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Rogers | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Little Flock | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Centerton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Highfill | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Bella Vista | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cave Springs | C+more damage than 61% | 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 Bentonville 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.
- 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.
- Bentonville 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 Bentonville
Is Bentonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bentonville has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #1 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and ice storms (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bentonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Bentonville since 1992, $538K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Bentonville 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 Bentonville?
Bentonville 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 Bentonville?
By FEMA money that reached Bentonville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 952 households applied for aid, $477K approved, and $8.8M to the City of Bentonville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Bentonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Bentonville’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bentonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bentonville’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.