Photo: PhotolitherlandChris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Russellville than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russellville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #93 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 Russellville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Russellville 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
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 Russellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Russellville, and Russellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #93 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Russellville’s residents live in 12 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, Russellville has more expected damage per building than 75% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.1M a year in losses across Russellville: $13.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Russellville flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Russellville, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm2 claims · $5K
Russellville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pope County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Russellville
Disasters that paid out in Russellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Russellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Pope County has had 14 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 Russellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Russellville archive →Russellville and its neighbors
Russellville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pottsville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Russellville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Russellville 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.
- 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.
- Russellville residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Russellville
Is Russellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russellville has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #93 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Russellville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Russellville since 1978, $875K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (2).
Is Russellville 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 Pope County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Russellville?
Russellville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Russellville?
By FEMA money that reached Russellville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 14 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Russellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Russellville’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Russellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Russellville’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.