Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Springdale’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springdale gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #4 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then ice storms (19%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Springdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Springdale 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Springdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springdale, and Springdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #4 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springdale’s residents live in 27 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, Springdale has less expected damage per building than 98% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $36.2M a year in losses across Springdale: $14.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springdale flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springdale, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $134K
- The Late spring severe storms4 claims · $248K
Springdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springdale
Disasters that paid out in Springdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Springdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding125 households applied for aid$211K aid approved$135K to the City of Springdale for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$16K to the City of Springdale for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding133 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$71K to the City of Springdale for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$3.0M to the City of Springdale for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$30K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$48K to the City of Springdale for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Springdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springdale archive →Springdale and its neighbors
Springdale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Tontitown | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lowell | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Elm Springs | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Johnson | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Cave Springs | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Springdale 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Springdale residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Springdale
Is Springdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springdale has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #4 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and ice storms (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Springdale since 1982, $1.3M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is Springdale 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 Washington County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springdale?
Springdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Springdale?
By FEMA money that reached Springdale, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $3.0M to the City of Springdale for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $134K.
Is Springdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Springdale’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springdale’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.