Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Benton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1994.
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 Benton 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
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 Benton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benton, and Benton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 17% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Benton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $488K a year in losses across Benton: $306K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benton, 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.
Benton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Benton
Disasters that paid out in Benton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Benton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$19K to the Town of Benton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$4K to the Town of Benton for repairs
Polk 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Polk County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Benton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benton archive →Get ready for what Benton 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.
- 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 Benton
Is Benton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Benton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Benton since 1994, $27K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Benton 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 Polk County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Benton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benton’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 Benton?
By FEMA money that reached Benton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 12 households applied for aid, $23K approved, and $4K to the Town of Benton for repairs.
Is Benton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Benton’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benton’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.