Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Magnolia’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #28 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (35%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1990.
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 Magnolia faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
River and rain flooding
Hail
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 Magnolia’s grade
Ice storms are 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Magnolia, and Magnolia’s rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #28 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Magnolia’s residents live in 5 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, Magnolia has less expected damage per building than 78% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Magnolia: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Magnolia flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Magnolia, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Magnolia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magnolia
Disasters that paid out in Magnolia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Magnolia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding600 households applied for aid$472K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$470K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
Columbia County has had 18 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 Magnolia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magnolia archive →Get ready for what Magnolia faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Magnolia
Is Magnolia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #28 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (35%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Magnolia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Magnolia since 1990, $22K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Magnolia 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 Columbia County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magnolia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magnolia’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 Magnolia?
By FEMA money that reached Magnolia, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 600 households applied for aid, $472K approved.
Is Magnolia at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Magnolia’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magnolia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magnolia’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.