Pea Ridge Commercial Historic District · Photo: Melodibit · CC BY-SA 3.0Pea Ridge’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pea Ridge gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #25 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then ice storms (18%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pea Ridge 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
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 Pea Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pea Ridge, and Pea Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #25 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pea Ridge’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, Pea Ridge has less expected damage per building than 80% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Pea Ridge: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pea Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pea Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pea Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pea Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Pea Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pea Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$129K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$104K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$23K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs
Benton County has had 20 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 Pea Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pea Ridge archive →Get ready for what Pea Ridge 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.
- 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 Pea Ridge
Is Pea Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pea Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #25 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pea Ridge 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 Benton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pea Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pea Ridge’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 Pea Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Pea Ridge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): 7 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $129K to the City of Pea Ridge for repairs.
Is Pea Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Pea Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pea Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pea Ridge’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.