Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Des Arc than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Arc gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2004.
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 Des Arc 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
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 Des Arc’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Arc, and Des Arc’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Des Arc’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Des Arc: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Des Arc flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Des Arc, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $34K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $33K
Des Arc isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prairie County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Arc
Disasters that paid out in Des Arc itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Arc), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$32K to the City of Des Arc for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding204 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$80K to the City of Des Arc for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding66 households applied for aid$465K aid approved$70K to the City of Des Arc for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$36K to the City of Des Arc for repairs
Prairie County has had 17 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 Des Arc after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Arc archive →Get ready for what Des Arc 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.
- 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 Des Arc
Is Des Arc at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Arc has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Des Arc flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Des Arc since 2004, $74K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (3).
Is Des Arc 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 Prairie County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Des Arc?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Des Arc’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 Des Arc?
By FEMA money that reached Des Arc, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 204 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $80K to the City of Des Arc for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $34K.
Is Des Arc at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Des Arc’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Arc.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Arc’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.