Photo: PhotolitherlandChris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0Harrison’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #44 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then ice storms (21%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1982.
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 Harrison 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 Harrison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrison, and Harrison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #44 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrison’s residents live in 6 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, Harrison has less expected damage per building than 65% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Harrison: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrison flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrison, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms6 claims · $270K
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $141K
- The March storm1 claim · $8K
Harrison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Boone County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrison
Disasters that paid out in Harrison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding111 households applied for aid$234K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding74 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$204K to the City of Harrison for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding60 households applied for aid$139K aid approved$226K to the City of Harrison for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$630K to the City of Harrison for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$20K to the City of Harrison for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$66K to the City of Harrison for repairs
Boone County has had 19 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 Harrison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrison archive →Get ready for what Harrison 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 Harrison
Is Harrison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #44 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and ice storms (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Harrison since 1982, $471K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (6).
Is Harrison 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 Boone County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harrison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrison’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 Harrison?
By FEMA money that reached Harrison, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $630K to the City of Harrison for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 6 paid, $270K.
Is Harrison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Harrison’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrison’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.