Sears House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ward than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ward gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #114 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Ward 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 Ward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ward, and Ward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #114 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ward’s residents live in 2 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, Ward has more expected damage per building than 93% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Ward: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ward flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ward, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lonoke County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ward
Disasters that paid out in Ward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$39K to the City of Ward for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$9K to the City of Ward for repairs
Lonoke County has had 24 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 Ward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ward archive →Ward and its neighbors
Ward has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Austin | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Ward 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 Ward
Is Ward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ward has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #114 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ward since 2015, $669 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ward 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 Lonoke County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ward’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 Ward?
By FEMA money that reached Ward, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 4 households applied for aid, $41K approved.
Is Ward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Ward’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ward’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.