Photo: Pastlizard · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Dardanelle than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dardanelle gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #98 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Dardanelle 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Dardanelle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dardanelle, and Dardanelle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #98 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dardanelle’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, Dardanelle has more expected damage per building than 80% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Dardanelle: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dardanelle flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dardanelle, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dardanelle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yell County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dardanelle
Disasters that paid out in Dardanelle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dardanelle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$522K to the City of Dardanelle for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$10K to the City of Dardanelle for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the City of Dardanelle for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$30K to the City of Dardanelle for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Yell County has had 17 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 Dardanelle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dardanelle archive →Get ready for what Dardanelle 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dardanelle
Is Dardanelle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dardanelle has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #98 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dardanelle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Dardanelle since 1998, $48K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dardanelle 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 Yell County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dardanelle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dardanelle’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 Dardanelle?
By FEMA money that reached Dardanelle, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 36 households applied for aid, $113K approved, and $522K to the City of Dardanelle for repairs.
Is Dardanelle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Dardanelle’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dardanelle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dardanelle’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.