Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Blytheville faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blytheville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #113 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (71%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 stands out about Blytheville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Blytheville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Blytheville’s grade
Earthquakes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blytheville, and Blytheville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #113 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blytheville’s residents live in 7 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, Blytheville has more expected damage per building than 92% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.2M a year in losses across Blytheville: $10.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blytheville flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blytheville, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $438
Blytheville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Mississippi County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blytheville
Disasters that paid out in Blytheville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blytheville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$52K to the City of Blytheville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding20 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$16K to the City of Blytheville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$1.7M to the City of Blytheville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$165K to the City of Blytheville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$26K to the City of Blytheville for repairs
Mississippi County has had 15 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 Blytheville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blytheville archive →Blytheville and its neighbors
Blytheville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gosnell | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Blytheville | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 23 |
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 Blytheville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Blytheville residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Blytheville
Is Blytheville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blytheville has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #113 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (71%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blytheville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Blytheville since 1997, $405K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Blytheville 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 Mississippi County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blytheville?
Blytheville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Blytheville?
By FEMA money that reached Blytheville, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $1.7M to the City of Blytheville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $438.
Is Blytheville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Blytheville’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blytheville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blytheville’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.