Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Fort Smith’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Smith gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #11 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 272 claims here since 1979.
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 Fort Smith’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Smith 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
Earthquakes
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 Fort Smith’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Smith, and Fort Smith’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #11 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Smith’s residents live in 25 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, Fort Smith has less expected damage per building than 92% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $40.3M a year in losses across Fort Smith: $23.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Smith flood? Yes: 272 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Smith, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms17 claims · $545K
- The Spring storm12 claims · $733K
- The Early winter storms4 claims · $450K
Fort Smith isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sebastian County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Smith
Disasters that paid out in Fort Smith itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Smith), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding291 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$13.0M to the City of Fort Smith for repairs72 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$70K to the City of Fort Smith for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$298K to the City of Fort Smith for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4,662 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$378K to the City of Fort Smith for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$247K to the City of Fort Smith for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$975K to the City of Fort Smith for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Sebastian County has had 16 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 Fort Smith after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Smith archive →Fort Smith and its neighbors
Fort Smith has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Fort Smith 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Fort Smith
Is Fort Smith at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Smith has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #11 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and ice storms (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Smith flood?
Flood insurance has paid 272 claims in Fort Smith since 1979, $15.5M in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 37 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (17).
Is Fort Smith 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 Sebastian County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Smith?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Smith’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 Fort Smith?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Smith, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 291 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $13.0M to the City of Fort Smith for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 17 paid, $545K.
Is Fort Smith at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Fort Smith’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Smith.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Smith’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.