Photo: Belinda Hankins Miller from U.S.A., upload by Herrick 10:33, 15 November 2007 (UTC) · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, North Little Rock faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Little Rock gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #110 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 178 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about North Little Rock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Little Rock 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
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 Little Rock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Little Rock, and North Little Rock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #110 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Little Rock’s residents live in 26 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 Little Rock has more expected damage per building than 89% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $42.8M a year in losses across North Little Rock: $30.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Little Rock flood? Yes: 178 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Little Rock, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms15 claims · $358K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $69K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $10K
North Little Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Little Rock
Disasters that paid out in North Little Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Little Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding711 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$771K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes1,619 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$27.3M to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding220 households applied for aid$248K aid approved$4.2M to the City of North Little Rock for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$71K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$768K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
Show all 14
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding232 households applied for aid$630K aid approved$596K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$218K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$321K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$1.5M to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$94K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4.3M to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
- 1999Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99$8K to the City of North Little Rock for repairs
Pulaski County has had 27 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 North Little Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Little Rock archive →North Little Rock and its neighbors
North Little Rock is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 646 |
| McAlmont | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | — |
| Sherwood | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Gibson | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Maumelle | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Little Rock | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 178 |
| Scott | — | 46 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Little Rock 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.
- 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 Little Rock
Is North Little Rock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Little Rock has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #110 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Little Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 178 claims in North Little Rock since 1978, $4.2M in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (15).
Is North Little Rock 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 Pulaski County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Little Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Little Rock’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 Little Rock?
By FEMA money that reached North Little Rock, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2023): 1,619 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $27.3M to the City of North Little Rock for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 15 paid, $358K.
Is North Little Rock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and North Little Rock’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Little Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Little Rock’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.