Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Siloam Springs’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Siloam Springs gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #17 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then ice storms (19%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1984.
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 Siloam Springs 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
Wildfire
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 Siloam Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Siloam Springs, and Siloam Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #17 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Siloam Springs’ residents live in 7 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, Siloam Springs has less expected damage per building than 87% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Siloam Springs: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Siloam Springs flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Siloam Springs, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $44K
Siloam Springs 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Siloam Springs
Disasters that paid out in Siloam Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Siloam Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$45K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$57K to the City of Siloam Springs for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding50 households applied for aid$217K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$576K to the City of Siloam Springs for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$67K to the City of Siloam Springs 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 Siloam Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Siloam Springs archive →Siloam Springs and its neighbors
Siloam Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siloam Springs | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| West Siloam Springs | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Siloam Springs 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Siloam Springs
Is Siloam Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Siloam Springs has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #17 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and ice storms (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Siloam Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Siloam Springs since 1984, $491K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Siloam Springs 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 Siloam Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Siloam Springs’ 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 Siloam Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Siloam Springs, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $576K to the City of Siloam Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $44K.
Is Siloam Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Siloam Springs’ rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Siloam Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Siloam Springs’ 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.