Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dumas than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dumas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #65 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1990.
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 Dumas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dumas 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 Dumas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dumas, and Dumas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #65 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dumas’ 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, Dumas has more expected damage per building than 52% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Dumas: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dumas flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dumas, from FEMA’s records: 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $3K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $53K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Dumas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Desha County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dumas
Disasters that paid out in Dumas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dumas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$397K aid approved$88K to the City of Dumas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$95K to the City of Dumas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$379K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding4 households applied for aid$30K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$88K to the City of Dumas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Desha 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 Dumas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dumas archive →Get ready for what Dumas 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 Dumas
Is Dumas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dumas has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #65 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dumas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Dumas since 1990, $304K in all, or 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Dumas 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 Desha County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dumas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dumas’ 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 Dumas?
By FEMA money that reached Dumas, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 57 households applied for aid, $397K approved, and $88K to the City of Dumas for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Dumas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Dumas’ rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dumas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dumas’ 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.