More hazard damage per building is expected in England than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, England gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 England 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
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 England’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in England, and England’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of England’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across England: $907K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does England flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in England, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
England isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lonoke County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to England
Disasters that paid out in England itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of England), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding81 households applied for aid$944K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding30 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$85K to the City of England for repairs
Lonoke County has had 24 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 England after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the England archive →Get ready for what England 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.
- 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 England
Is England at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, England has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) 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 England flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in England since 1984, $1K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is England 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 Lonoke County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in England?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for England’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 England?
By FEMA money that reached England, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 81 households applied for aid, $944K approved.
Is England at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and England’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in England.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where England’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.