Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Elkins than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkins gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #89 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2008.
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 Elkins 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
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 Elkins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkins, and Elkins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #89 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkins’ residents live in 3 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, Elkins has more expected damage per building than 72% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Elkins: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkins flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkins, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm3 claims · $21K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $11K
Elkins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elkins
Disasters that paid out in Elkins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elkins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$17K to the City of Elkins for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding20 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$17K to the City of Elkins for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Elkins for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$8K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$10K to the City of Elkins for repairs
Washington County has had 15 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 Elkins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkins archive →Elkins and its neighbors
Elkins is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Elkins | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Elkins 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.
- 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 Elkins
Is Elkins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkins has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #89 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Elkins since 2008, $75K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (3).
Is Elkins 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 Washington County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkins’ 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 Elkins?
By FEMA money that reached Elkins, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): 11 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $17K to the City of Elkins for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 3 paid, $21K.
Is Elkins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Elkins’ rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkins’ 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.