Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Flippin faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flippin gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then ice storms (33%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Flippin 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
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 Flippin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flippin, and Flippin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Flippin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $812K a year in losses across Flippin: $527K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flippin flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flippin, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $97K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $7K
Flippin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flippin
Disasters that paid out in Flippin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Flippin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$41K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$97K to the City of Flippin for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$22K to the City of Flippin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of Flippin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$52K to the City of Flippin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$52K to the City of Flippin for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$9K to the City of Flippin for repairs
Marion County has had 23 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 Flippin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flippin archive →Get ready for what Flippin 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.
- 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 Flippin
Is Flippin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flippin has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and ice storms (33%). 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 Flippin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Flippin since 2008, $112K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Flippin 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 Marion County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Flippin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flippin’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 Flippin?
By FEMA money that reached Flippin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): $97K to the City of Flippin for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $97K.
Is Flippin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Flippin’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flippin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flippin’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.