Photo: StuttgartChamber · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Stuttgart than in 80% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stuttgart gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #77 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (38%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1983.
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 Stuttgart’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stuttgart faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Stuttgart’s grade
Earthquakes are 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stuttgart, and Stuttgart’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #77 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stuttgart’s residents live in 3 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, Stuttgart has more expected damage per building than 62% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Stuttgart: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stuttgart flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stuttgart, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $114K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $3K
Stuttgart isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arkansas County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stuttgart
Disasters that paid out in Stuttgart itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stuttgart), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$221K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$120K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding25 households applied for aid$3K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$99K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes282 households applied for aid$282K aid approved$506K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$387K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs
Arkansas County has had 15 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 Stuttgart after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stuttgart archive →Get ready for what Stuttgart faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Stuttgart
Is Stuttgart at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stuttgart has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #77 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (38%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stuttgart flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Stuttgart since 1983, $577K in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Stuttgart 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 Arkansas County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stuttgart?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stuttgart’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 Stuttgart?
By FEMA money that reached Stuttgart, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): 282 households applied for aid, $282K approved, and $506K to the City of Stuttgart for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $114K.
Is Stuttgart at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Stuttgart’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stuttgart.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stuttgart’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.