Andrew Hunter House · Photo: Marlo B. Krueger · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bryant’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bryant gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #45 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Bryant’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bryant 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 Bryant’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bryant, and Bryant’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #45 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bryant’s residents live in 10 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, Bryant has less expected damage per building than 64% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Bryant: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bryant flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bryant, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms7 claims · $154K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Beryl1 claim · $39K
Bryant 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bryant
Disasters that paid out in Bryant itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bryant), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$106K to the City of Bryant for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$100K to the City of Bryant for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$53K to the City of Bryant for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the City of Bryant for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$301K aid approved$212K to the City of Bryant for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$46K to the City of Bryant 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 Bryant after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bryant archive →Bryant and its neighbors
Bryant is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Hills | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Benton | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Bryant | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Alexander | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bauxite | — | 846 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bryant 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 Bryant
Is Bryant at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bryant has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #45 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bryant flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Bryant since 1978, $724K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (7).
Is Bryant 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 Bryant?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bryant’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 Bryant?
By FEMA money that reached Bryant, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 50 households applied for aid, $301K approved, and $212K to the City of Bryant for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 7 paid, $154K.
Is Bryant at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Bryant’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bryant.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bryant’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.