Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0El Dorado’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Dorado gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #5 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then ice storms (24%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1978.
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 El Dorado 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
Ice storms
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 El Dorado’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Dorado, and El Dorado’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #5 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Dorado’s residents live in 8 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, El Dorado has less expected damage per building than 97% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across El Dorado: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Dorado flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Dorado, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
El Dorado isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Dorado
Disasters that paid out in El Dorado itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Dorado), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$397K to the City of El Dorado for repairs
Union County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Union County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of El Dorado after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Dorado archive →Get ready for what El Dorado 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.
- 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.
- 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 El Dorado
Is El Dorado at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Dorado has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #5 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and ice storms (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Dorado flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in El Dorado since 1978, $239K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is El Dorado 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 Union County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Dorado?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Dorado’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 El Dorado?
By FEMA money that reached El Dorado, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $397K to the City of El Dorado for repairs.
Is El Dorado at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and El Dorado’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Dorado.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Dorado’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.