Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery · Photo: Srawilson · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cabot than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cabot gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #91 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1999.
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 Cabot 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Cabot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cabot, and Cabot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #91 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cabot’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, Cabot has more expected damage per building than 74% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Cabot: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cabot flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cabot, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $60K
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $19K
Cabot isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lonoke County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cabot
Disasters that paid out in Cabot itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cabot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes101 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$53K to the City of Cabot for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding50 households applied for aid$166K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$427 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$109K to the City of Cabot for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$66K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$182K to the City of Cabot for repairs
Lonoke County has had 24 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 Cabot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cabot archive →Cabot and its neighbors
Cabot has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabot | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Austin | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Cabot 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Cabot
Is Cabot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cabot has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #91 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cabot flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Cabot since 1999, $245K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Cabot 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 Lonoke County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cabot?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cabot’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 Cabot?
By FEMA money that reached Cabot, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $182K to the City of Cabot for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $60K.
Is Cabot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Cabot’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cabot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cabot’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.