Crossroads Fire Tower · Photo: Tony Kelley · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts North Crossett’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Crossett gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #87 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2008.
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 North Crossett 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
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 North Crossett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Crossett, and North Crossett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #87 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Crossett’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, North Crossett has more expected damage per building than 70% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across North Crossett: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Crossett flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Crossett, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav2 claims · $15K
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $142K
North Crossett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ashley County.The storms North Crossett remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Ashley County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Crossett itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20163 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Ashley County
- 20082 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Gustav, declared for Ashley County
- 20092 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Tornadoes, declared for Ashley County
Ashley County has had 12 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 North Crossett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Crossett archive →North Crossett and its neighbors
North Crossett is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossett | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| North Crossett | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 North Crossett 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.
- 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 North Crossett
Is North Crossett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Crossett has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #87 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Crossett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in North Crossett since 2008, $263K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (2).
Is North Crossett 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 Ashley County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Crossett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Crossett’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 North Crossett?
By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 2 paid, $15K.
Is North Crossett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and North Crossett’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Crossett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Crossett’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.