Storms, floods and disasters in Little Rock
Little Rock isn’t graded for hazard risk: Little Rock has 395 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
What Little Rock 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
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.
Does Little Rock flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Rock, from FEMA’s records.
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $15K
Little Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lyon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Rock
Disasters that paid out in Little Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Little Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$6K to the City of Little Rock for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$37K to the City of Little Rock for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$6K to the City of Little Rock for repairs
Lyon County has had 13 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 Little Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Rock archive →Get ready for what Little Rock 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.
- 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 Little Rock
Does Little Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Little Rock since 2024, $15K in all. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Little Rock 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 Lyon County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Little Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Little Rock’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 Little Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Little Rock, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 23 households applied for aid, $68K approved, and $6K to the City of Little Rock for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $15K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Rock’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.