Highfill School (No. 71) · Photo: Brandonrush · CC0For ice storms, Highfill’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highfill gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #20 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then ice storms (17%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Highfill 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 Highfill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highfill, and Highfill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #20 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highfill’s residents live in 2 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, Highfill has less expected damage per building than 84% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $566K a year in losses across Highfill: $348K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highfill flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highfill, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $4K
Highfill 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highfill
Disasters that paid out in Highfill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Highfill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$78K to the Town of Highfill for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$34K to the Town of Highfill for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$12K to the Town of Highfill for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$116K to the Town of Highfill for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the Town of Highfill for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Highfill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highfill archive →Highfill and its neighbors
Highfill is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Centerton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Highfill | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Highfill 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 Highfill
Is Highfill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highfill has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #20 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and ice storms (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highfill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Highfill since 1982, $260K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Highfill 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 Highfill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highfill’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 Highfill?
By FEMA money that reached Highfill, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $116K to the Town of Highfill for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Highfill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Highfill’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highfill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highfill’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.