Photo: Ardelta · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Forrest City than in 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forrest City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #63 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (35%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Forrest City 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 Forrest City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forrest City, and Forrest City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #63 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forrest City’s residents live in 5 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, Forrest City has more expected damage per building than 51% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Forrest City: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forrest City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forrest City, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forrest City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Francis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forrest City
Disasters that paid out in Forrest City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forrest City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding810 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$127K to the City of Forrest City for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding77 households applied for aid$131K aid approved$15K to the City of Forrest City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$132K to the City of Forrest City for repairs
St. Francis County has had 17 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 Forrest City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forrest City archive →Forrest City and its neighbors
Forrest City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Caldwell | — | 441 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Forrest City 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 Forrest City
Is Forrest City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forrest City has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #63 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (35%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forrest City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Forrest City since 1980, $1K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Forrest City 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 St. Francis County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forrest City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forrest City’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 Forrest City?
By FEMA money that reached Forrest City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 810 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $127K to the City of Forrest City for repairs.
Is Forrest City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Forrest City’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forrest City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forrest City’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.