Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0Crossett’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crossett gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #37 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
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 Crossett 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 Crossett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crossett, and Crossett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #37 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crossett’s residents live in 2 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, Crossett has less expected damage per building than 70% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Crossett: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crossett flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crossett, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crossett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashley County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Crossett
Disasters that paid out in Crossett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crossett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes30 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
Ashley County has had 12 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 Crossett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crossett archive →Crossett and its neighbors
Crossett has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossett | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Crossett | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Crossett | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Crossett 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 Crossett
Is Crossett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crossett has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #37 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crossett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Crossett since 1979, $11K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Crossett 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 Ashley 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 Crossett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crossett’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 Crossett?
By FEMA money that reached Crossett, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2009): 30 households applied for aid, $68K approved.
Is Crossett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Crossett’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crossett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crossett’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.