Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Trumann faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trumann gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #117 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1978.
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 Trumann 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
Ice storms
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 Trumann’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trumann, and Trumann’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #117 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trumann’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, Trumann has more expected damage per building than 95% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Trumann: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trumann flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trumann, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms2 claims · $226K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $25K
Trumann isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Poinsett County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trumann
Disasters that paid out in Trumann itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Trumann), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Tornadoes302 households applied for aid$434K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding99 households applied for aid$799K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Poinsett County has had 26 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 Trumann after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trumann archive →Get ready for what Trumann 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.
- 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.
- 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 Trumann
Is Trumann at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trumann has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #117 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trumann flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Trumann since 1978, $870K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (2).
Is Trumann 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 Poinsett County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trumann?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trumann’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 Trumann?
By FEMA money that reached Trumann, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 99 households applied for aid, $799K approved. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 2 paid, $226K.
Is Trumann at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Trumann’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trumann.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trumann’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.