For ice storms, Centerton’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #18 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Centerton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Centerton 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
Wildfire
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 Centerton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centerton, and Centerton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #18 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centerton’s residents live in 6 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, Centerton has less expected damage per building than 86% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Centerton: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centerton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centerton, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $8K
Centerton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Benton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centerton
Disasters that paid out in Centerton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centerton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding94 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$299K to the City of Centerton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$96K to the City of Centerton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding1 households applied for aid$32K to the City of Centerton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Centerton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$30K to the City of Centerton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Centerton for repairs
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 Centerton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centerton archive →Centerton and its neighbors
Centerton is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Centerton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Highfill | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Centerton 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Centerton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Centerton
Is Centerton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerton has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #18 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centerton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Centerton since 2017, $8K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Centerton 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 Centerton?
Centerton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Centerton?
By FEMA money that reached Centerton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 94 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $299K to the City of Centerton for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Centerton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Centerton’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centerton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centerton’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.