Photo: Tim Morgan · CC BY-SA 3.0Gentry’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gentry gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #35 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then ice storms (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Gentry 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
Wildfire
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 Gentry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gentry, and Gentry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #35 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gentry’s residents live in 3 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, Gentry has less expected damage per building than 72% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Gentry: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gentry flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gentry. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Gentry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gentry
Disasters that paid out in Gentry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gentry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding9 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$38K to the City of Gentry for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Gentry for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$516 aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Gentry for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2K to the City of Gentry for repairs
Benton County has had 20 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 Gentry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gentry archive →Get ready for what Gentry 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Gentry
Is Gentry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gentry has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #35 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Gentry 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 Benton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gentry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gentry’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 Gentry?
By FEMA money that reached Gentry, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 9 households applied for aid, $63K approved, and $38K to the City of Gentry for repairs.
Is Gentry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Gentry’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gentry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gentry’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.