Photo: Lauren Shufelberger · CC BY-SA 3.0Mena’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mena gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #15 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1998.
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 Mena 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
Hail
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 Mena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mena, and Mena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #15 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mena’s residents live in 3 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, Mena has less expected damage per building than 89% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Mena: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mena flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mena, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mena
Disasters that paid out in Mena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$189K to the City of Mena for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$66K to the City of Mena for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to the City of Mena for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes757 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Mena for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$164K to the City of Mena for repairs
Polk County has had 19 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 Mena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mena archive →Get ready for what Mena 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mena
Is Mena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mena has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #15 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Mena since 1998, $90K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mena 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 Polk County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mena’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 Mena?
By FEMA money that reached Mena, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2009): 757 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Mena for repairs.
Is Mena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Mena’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mena’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.