Patterson, Walter, Filling Station · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clinton than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #100 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then ice storms (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Clinton 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #100 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton’s residents live in 4 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, Clinton has more expected damage per building than 81% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Clinton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Van Buren County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$108K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$29K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$12K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav$39K to the City of Clinton for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$315K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding267 households applied for aid$846K aid approved$256K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$87K to the City of Clinton for repairs
Van Buren County has had 21 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Get ready for what Clinton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #100 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and ice storms (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Clinton since 1982, $381K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clinton 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 Van Buren County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton’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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 267 households applied for aid, $846K approved, and $256K to the City of Clinton for repairs.
Is Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Clinton’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.