For tornadoes, Shannon Hills’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shannon Hills gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #39 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1982.
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 Shannon Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shannon Hills 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 Shannon Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shannon Hills, and Shannon Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #39 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shannon Hills’ residents live in 2 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, Shannon Hills has less expected damage per building than 69% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Shannon Hills: $612K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shannon Hills flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shannon Hills, from FEMA’s records: 28.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding5 claims · $401K
- The Late spring severe storms3 claims · $46K
- Hurricane Beryl3 claims · $122K
Shannon Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saline County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shannon Hills
Disasters that paid out in Shannon Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shannon Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$97K to the City of Shannon Hills for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$42K to the City of Shannon Hills for repairs
Saline County has had 18 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 Shannon Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shannon Hills archive →Shannon Hills and its neighbors
Shannon Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Shannon Hills 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shannon Hills
Is Shannon Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shannon Hills has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #39 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shannon Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Shannon Hills since 1982, $1.4M in all, or 28.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (5).
Is Shannon Hills 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 Saline County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shannon Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shannon Hills’ 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 Shannon Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Shannon Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 4 households applied for aid, $43K approved, and $97K to the City of Shannon Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 5 paid, $401K.
Is Shannon Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Shannon Hills’ rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shannon Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shannon Hills’ 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.