Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0Malvern’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #38 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then ice storms (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1983.
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 Malvern 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Malvern’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malvern, and Malvern’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #38 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Malvern’s residents live in 7 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, Malvern has less expected damage per building than 70% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Malvern: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malvern flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malvern, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $12K
Malvern isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hot Spring County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malvern
Disasters that paid out in Malvern itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Malvern), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding115 households applied for aid$392K aid approved$127K to the City of Malvern for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$45K to the City of Malvern for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$60K to the City of Malvern for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav$42K to the City of Malvern for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$80K to the City of Malvern for repairs
Hot Spring County has had 15 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 Malvern after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malvern archive →Malvern and its neighbors
Malvern has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Malvern 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.
- 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.
- 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 Malvern
Is Malvern at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #38 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and ice storms (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malvern flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Malvern since 1983, $23K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Malvern 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 Hot Spring County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Malvern?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malvern’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 Malvern?
By FEMA money that reached Malvern, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 115 households applied for aid, $392K approved, and $127K to the City of Malvern for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Malvern at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Malvern’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malvern.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malvern’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.