W.L. Wood House · Photo: Cid.williams · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Morrilton faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrilton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #61 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1982.
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 Morrilton 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 Morrilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morrilton, and Morrilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #61 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morrilton’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, Morrilton has less expected damage per building than 51% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Morrilton: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morrilton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morrilton, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $13K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $15K
Morrilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Conway County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morrilton
Disasters that paid out in Morrilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morrilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$2K to the City of Morrilton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$40K to the City of Morrilton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav$8K to the City of Morrilton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$4K to the City of Morrilton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$14K to the City of Morrilton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$22K to the City of Morrilton for repairs
Conway County has had 24 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 Morrilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morrilton archive →Get ready for what Morrilton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Morrilton
Is Morrilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrilton has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #61 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morrilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Morrilton since 1982, $93K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Morrilton 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 Conway County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morrilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morrilton’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 Morrilton?
By FEMA money that reached Morrilton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2019): 17 households applied for aid, $77K approved. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Morrilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Morrilton’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morrilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morrilton’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.