Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Yellville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yellville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then ice storms (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Yellville 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
Earthquakes
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 Yellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yellville, and Yellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Yellville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $789K a year in losses across Yellville: $494K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yellville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yellville, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Yellville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Yellville
Disasters that paid out in Yellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding146 households applied for aid$526K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$64K to the City of Yellville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$8K to the City of Yellville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$5K to the City of Yellville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$11K to the City of Yellville for repairs
Marion County has had 23 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 Yellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yellville archive →Yellville and its neighbors
Yellville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellville | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Summit | — | 706 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Yellville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Yellville
Is Yellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yellville has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and ice storms (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Yellville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Yellville since 2024, $1.0M in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Yellville 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 Marion County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Yellville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Yellville’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 Yellville?
By FEMA money that reached Yellville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 146 households applied for aid, $526K approved.
Is Yellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Yellville’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yellville’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.