Fort Lookout · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Camden faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #83 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1982.
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 Camden’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Camden 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
Tornadoes
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 Camden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #83 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camden’s residents live in 5 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, Camden has more expected damage per building than 67% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Camden: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camden, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ouachita County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding52 households applied for aid$418K aid approved
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$74K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$195K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$125K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$82K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of Camden for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1.2M to the City of Camden for repairs
Ouachita County has had 23 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ouachita County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Get ready for what Camden 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.
- 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.
- 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #83 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and ice storms (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Camden since 1982, $657K in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Camden 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 Ouachita County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $1.2M to the City of Camden for repairs.
Is Camden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Camden’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.