Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Van Buren than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #52 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1993.
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 Van Buren’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Van Buren 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
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 Van Buren’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van Buren, and Van Buren’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #52 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Van Buren’s residents live in 7 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, Van Buren has less expected damage per building than 58% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across Van Buren: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van Buren flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Van Buren, 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 Early winter storms2 claims · $7K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $2K
- The Spring storm2 claims · $11K
Van Buren is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Van Buren
Disasters that paid out in Van Buren itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Van Buren), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$436K to the City of Van Buren for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$91K to the City of Van Buren for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$166K to the City of Van Buren for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of Van Buren for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding23 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$16K to the City of Van Buren for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,213 households applied for aid$466K aid approved$328K to the City of Van Buren for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$161K to the City of Van Buren for repairs
Crawford County has had 20 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 Van Buren after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van Buren archive →Van Buren and its neighbors
Van Buren 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 272 |
| Van Buren | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Van Buren 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.
- 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.
- Van Buren 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 Van Buren
Is Van Buren at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van Buren has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #52 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Van Buren flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Van Buren since 1993, $1.0M in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Van Buren 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 Crawford County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Van Buren?
Van Buren 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 Van Buren?
By FEMA money that reached Van Buren, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 2,213 households applied for aid, $466K approved, and $328K to the City of Van Buren for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Van Buren at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Van Buren’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van Buren.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van Buren’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.