Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in DeWitt than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeWitt gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #101 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.
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 DeWitt 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 DeWitt’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeWitt, and DeWitt’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #101 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
DeWitt’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, DeWitt has more expected damage per building than 82% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across DeWitt: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeWitt flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeWitt, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
DeWitt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arkansas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeWitt
Disasters that paid out in DeWitt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeWitt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$20K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$28K to the City of DeWitt for repairs
Arkansas County has had 15 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 DeWitt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeWitt archive →Get ready for what DeWitt 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 DeWitt
Is DeWitt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeWitt has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #101 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does DeWitt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in DeWitt since 2009, $37K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is DeWitt 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 Arkansas County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeWitt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeWitt’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 DeWitt?
By FEMA money that reached DeWitt, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $28K to the City of DeWitt for repairs.
Is DeWitt at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and DeWitt’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeWitt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeWitt’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.