Johnston, John H., Cotton Gin Historic District · Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wynne than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wynne gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #116 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1980.
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 Wynne’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wynne 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
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 Wynne’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wynne, and Wynne’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #116 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wynne’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, Wynne has more expected damage per building than 94% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Wynne: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wynne flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wynne, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $169K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $20K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $29K
Wynne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cross County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wynne
Disasters that paid out in Wynne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wynne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$19K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes1,582 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$6.4M to the City of Wynne for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding33 households applied for aid$114K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes60 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$4K to the City of Wynne for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$86K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$280K to the City of Wynne for repairs
Cross County has had 18 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 Wynne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wynne archive →Get ready for what Wynne 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.
- 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 Wynne
Is Wynne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wynne has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #116 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wynne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Wynne since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Wynne 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 Cross County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wynne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wynne’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 Wynne?
By FEMA money that reached Wynne, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2023): 1,582 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $6.4M to the City of Wynne for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $169K.
Is Wynne at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Wynne’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wynne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wynne’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.