Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Ozark’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ozark gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #41 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then ice storms (15%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1999.
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 Ozark’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ozark 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
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 Ozark’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ozark, and Ozark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #41 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ozark’s residents live in 4 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, Ozark has less expected damage per building than 67% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Ozark: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ozark flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ozark, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $22K
Ozark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ozark
Disasters that paid out in Ozark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ozark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$96K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$33K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding101 households applied for aid$589K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$3K to the City of Ozark for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$4K to the City of Ozark for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$15K to the City of Ozark for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Franklin County has had 21 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 Ozark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ozark archive →Get ready for what Ozark 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.
- 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 Ozark
Is Ozark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ozark has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #41 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ozark flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Ozark since 1999, $385K in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Ozark 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 Franklin County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ozark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ozark’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 Ozark?
By FEMA money that reached Ozark, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 101 households applied for aid, $589K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Ozark at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Ozark’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ozark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ozark’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.