Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hot Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hot Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #58 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 125 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Hot Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hot Springs 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Hot Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hot Springs, and Hot Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #58 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hot Springs’ residents live in 20 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, Hot Springs has less expected damage per building than 53% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.7M a year in losses across Hot Springs: $14.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hot Springs flood? Yes: 125 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hot Springs, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav4 claims · $177K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $66K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $144K
Hot Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Garland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hot Springs
Disasters that paid out in Hot Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hot Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$21K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding85 households applied for aid$72K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$35K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
Garland County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hot Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hot Springs archive →Hot Springs and its neighbors
Hot Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Lake Hamilton | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockwell | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Piney | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Hot Springs 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hot Springs residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hot Springs
Is Hot Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hot Springs has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #58 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hot Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 125 claims in Hot Springs since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (4).
Is Hot Springs 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 Garland County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hot Springs?
Hot Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hot Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Hot Springs, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 85 households applied for aid, $72K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 4 paid, $177K.
Is Hot Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Hot Springs’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hot Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hot Springs’ 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.