Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Johnson’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #23 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then ice storms (16%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 2011.
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 Johnson 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
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 Johnson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnson, and Johnson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #23 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnson’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, Johnson has less expected damage per building than 82% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Johnson: $989K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnson flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnson, from FEMA’s records: 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms6 claims · $429K
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $250K
Johnson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnson
Disasters that paid out in Johnson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Johnson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$119K to the City of Johnson for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$44K to the City of Johnson for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$91K to the City of Johnson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$2K to the City of Johnson for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the City of Johnson for repairs
Washington County has had 15 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 Johnson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnson archive →Johnson and its neighbors
Johnson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Johnson | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Johnson 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.
- 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 Johnson
Is Johnson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #23 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and ice storms (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Johnson since 2011, $2.0M in all, or 20.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (6).
Is Johnson 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 Washington County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Johnson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnson’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 Johnson?
By FEMA money that reached Johnson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): 1 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $119K to the City of Johnson for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 6 paid, $429K.
Is Johnson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Johnson’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnson’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.