Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Texarkana than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Texarkana gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #70 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then hail (28%). Flood insurance has paid 95 claims here since 1980.
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 Texarkana’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Texarkana 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
Hail
Ice storms
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 Texarkana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Texarkana, and Texarkana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #70 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Texarkana’s residents live in 13 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, Texarkana has more expected damage per building than 57% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Texarkana: $9.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Texarkana flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Texarkana, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding5 claims · $440K
- Hurricane Beryl2 claims · $23K
Texarkana is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Miller County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Texarkana
Disasters that paid out in Texarkana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Texarkana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding812 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$607K to the City of Texarkana for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$107K to the City of Texarkana for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$25K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding173 households applied for aid$156K aid approved$25K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$2K to the City of Texarkana for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$61K to the City of Texarkana for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2.1M to the City of Texarkana for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Miller 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 Texarkana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Texarkana archive →Texarkana and its neighbors
Texarkana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Texarkana | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
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 Texarkana 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Texarkana 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 Texarkana
Is Texarkana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Texarkana has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #70 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and hail (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Texarkana flood?
Flood insurance has paid 95 claims in Texarkana since 1980, $2.6M in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (5).
Is Texarkana 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 Miller County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Texarkana?
Texarkana 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 Texarkana?
By FEMA money that reached Texarkana, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 812 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $607K to the City of Texarkana for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 5 paid, $440K.
Is Texarkana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Texarkana’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Texarkana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Texarkana’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.