Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Gravette’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gravette gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #45 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then ice storms (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Gravette 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 Gravette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gravette, and Gravette’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #45 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gravette’s residents live in 4 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, Gravette has less expected damage per building than 64% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Gravette: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gravette flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gravette, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $16K
Gravette 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gravette
Disasters that paid out in Gravette itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gravette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$133K to the City of Gravette for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$123K to the City of Gravette for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Gravette for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$221 aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$5K to the City of Gravette 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 Gravette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gravette archive →Gravette and its neighbors
Gravette is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Vista | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gravette | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Gravette 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 Gravette
Is Gravette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gravette has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #45 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and ice storms (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gravette flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Gravette since 2013, $21K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Gravette 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 Gravette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gravette’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 Gravette?
By FEMA money that reached Gravette, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 7 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $133K to the City of Gravette for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Gravette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Gravette’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gravette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gravette’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.