Photo: Photolitherland Chris Litherland · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Walnut Ridge than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walnut Ridge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #121 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1979.
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 Walnut Ridge 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
Earthquakes
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 Walnut Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walnut Ridge, and Walnut Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #121 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walnut Ridge’s residents live in 4 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, Walnut Ridge has more expected damage per building than 98% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Walnut Ridge: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walnut Ridge flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walnut Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $2K
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $3K
Walnut Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walnut Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Walnut Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Walnut Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$5K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding27 households applied for aid$207K aid approved$90K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$344K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$4K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$41K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs
Lawrence County has had 18 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 Walnut Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walnut Ridge archive →Walnut Ridge and its neighbors
Walnut Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoxie | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Walnut Ridge | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Walnut Ridge 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Walnut Ridge
Is Walnut Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walnut Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #121 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walnut Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Walnut Ridge since 1979, $10K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Walnut Ridge 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 Lawrence County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Walnut Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walnut Ridge’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 Walnut Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Walnut Ridge, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $344K to the City of Walnut Ridge for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Walnut Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Walnut Ridge’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walnut Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walnut Ridge’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.