Photo: Ronny Willhite · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Conway than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #60 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 Conway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Conway 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
Ice storms
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 Conway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Conway, and Conway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #60 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Conway’s residents live in 18 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, Conway has less expected damage per building than 52% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $39.6M a year in losses across Conway: $19.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Conway flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Conway, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms12 claims · $523K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $42K
- The March storm1 claim · $13K
Conway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Faulkner County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Conway
Disasters that paid out in Conway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Conway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$241K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$242K aid approved$121K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding127 households applied for aid$327K aid approved$93K to the City of Conway for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$38K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding223 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding347 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$187K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$57K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$288K to the City of Conway for repairs
Faulkner County has had 23 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 Conway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Conway archive →Get ready for what Conway 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.
- 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.
- 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 Conway
Is Conway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #60 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Conway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Conway since 1982, $952K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (12).
Is Conway 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 Faulkner County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Conway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Conway’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 Conway?
By FEMA money that reached Conway, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 347 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 12 paid, $523K.
Is Conway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Conway’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Conway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Conway’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.