Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Fayetteville’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fayetteville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #14 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 166 claims here since 1980.
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 Fayetteville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fayetteville 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
Hail
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 Fayetteville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fayetteville, and Fayetteville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #14 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fayetteville’s residents live in 28 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, Fayetteville has less expected damage per building than 89% of Arkansas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fayetteville has lower expected damage per building than 62% (#152 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $49.4M, is the 245th largest of those 400.
Does Fayetteville flood? Yes: 166 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fayetteville, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms39 claims · $981K
- The Late spring severe storms38 claims · $1.6M
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $13K
Fayetteville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fayetteville
Disasters that paid out in Fayetteville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fayetteville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding174 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$416K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding291 households applied for aid$436K aid approved$604K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$4.0M to the City of Fayetteville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$55K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$471K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$126K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Fayetteville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fayetteville archive →Fayetteville and its neighbors
Fayetteville is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Johnson | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Farmington | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Greenland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| 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 Fayetteville 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Fayetteville residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fayetteville
Is Fayetteville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fayetteville has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #14 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fayetteville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 166 claims in Fayetteville since 1980, $5.3M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 32 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (39).
Is Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fayetteville?
By FEMA money that reached Fayetteville, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $4.0M to the City of Fayetteville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 39 paid, $981K.
Is Fayetteville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Fayetteville’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fayetteville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fayetteville’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.