Illinois River Bridge at Phillips Ford · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Tontitown’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tontitown gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #8 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Tontitown 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
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 Tontitown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tontitown, and Tontitown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #8 of 123 in Arkansas; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tontitown’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, Tontitown has less expected damage per building than 94% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Tontitown: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tontitown flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tontitown, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $11K
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $75K
Tontitown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tontitown
Disasters that paid out in Tontitown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tontitown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$14K to the City of Tontitown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$63K to the City of Tontitown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$72K to the City of Tontitown for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2K to the City of Tontitown for repairs
Washington County has had 15 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 Tontitown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tontitown archive →Tontitown and its neighbors
Tontitown is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Tontitown | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Elm Springs | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Tontitown 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tontitown
Is Tontitown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tontitown has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #8 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tontitown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Tontitown since 2011, $115K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Tontitown 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 Tontitown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tontitown’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 Tontitown?
By FEMA money that reached Tontitown, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $72K to the City of Tontitown for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Tontitown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Tontitown’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tontitown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tontitown’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.