S.D. Merritt House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Greenbrier than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenbrier gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #69 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1997.
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 Greenbrier 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
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 Greenbrier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenbrier, and Greenbrier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #69 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenbrier’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, Greenbrier has more expected damage per building than 56% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Greenbrier: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenbrier flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenbrier, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $102K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $427
Greenbrier isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Faulkner County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenbrier
Disasters that paid out in Greenbrier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenbrier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding52 households applied for aid$128K aid approved$40K to the City of Greenbrier for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding13 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$37K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$19K to the City of Greenbrier for repairs
Faulkner County has had 23 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 Greenbrier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenbrier archive →Get ready for what Greenbrier 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.
- 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 Greenbrier
Is Greenbrier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenbrier has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #69 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenbrier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Greenbrier since 1997, $390K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% 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 (3).
Is Greenbrier 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 Faulkner County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenbrier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenbrier’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 Greenbrier?
By FEMA money that reached Greenbrier, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): 52 households applied for aid, $128K approved, and $40K to the City of Greenbrier for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 3 paid, $102K.
Is Greenbrier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Greenbrier’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenbrier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenbrier’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.