Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Little Rock faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Rock gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #56 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 646 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 Little Rock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Little Rock 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
Tornadoes
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 Little Rock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little Rock, and Little Rock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #56 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little Rock’s residents live in 59 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, Little Rock has less expected damage per building than 55% of Arkansas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Little Rock has higher expected damage per building than 63% (#252 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $99.8M, is the 116th largest of those 400.
Does Little Rock flood? Yes: 646 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Rock, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms51 claims · $3.0M
- The Central U.S. April Flooding10 claims · $459K
- The Mid-spring storms8 claims · $545K
Little Rock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Rock
Disasters that paid out in Little Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Little Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,262 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$980K to the City of Little Rock for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes3,766 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$13.2M to the City of Little Rock for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding197 households applied for aid$329K aid approved$494K to the City of Little Rock for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding201 households applied for aid$169K aid approved53 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$1.6M to the City of Little Rock for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding297 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$446K to the City of Little Rock for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1.0M to the City of Little Rock for repairs50 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes20 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding90 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$357K to the City of Little Rock for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$476K to the City of Little Rock for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2.9M to the City of Little Rock for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99$3.5M to the City of Little Rock for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Pulaski County has had 27 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 Little Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Rock archive →Little Rock and its neighbors
Little Rock is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Little Rock | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 646 |
| North Little Rock | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 178 |
| College Station | — | 258 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Little Rock 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Little Rock residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Little Rock
Is Little Rock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Rock has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #56 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 646 claims in Little Rock since 1978, $13.4M in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (51).
Is Little Rock 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 Pulaski County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Little Rock?
Little Rock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Little Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Little Rock, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2023): 3,766 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $13.2M to the City of Little Rock for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 51 paid, $3.0M.
Is Little Rock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Little Rock’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Rock’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.