Enter any address in Baxter County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Baxter County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 32 flash flood events, alongside 6 general flood events, and 4 tropical storm/depression events. Recent examples include flash flooding associated with severe thunderstorms in August 2016 and heavy rainfall in early May 2022.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $20,173 and an average water depth of 13.5 feet. While Zone X properties have had fewer claims, their average payout was higher at $42,960 with an average water depth of 10.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with significant water depth, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Baxter County, Arkansas has recorded 42 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 24, 2024 |
| Hurricane Laura | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 26, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 18, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 2, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 30, 2012 | 500.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Sep 1, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 26, 2011 | 300.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2011 | 750.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2010 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2010 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — May 2, 2022
A few rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms developed through May 5th. The bulk of the active weather took place from late on May 4th into the 5th as a cold front moved into the state from the northwest. In addition to severe weather reports of damaging wind and hail, very heavy rain fell from northeast Oklahoma eastward into Arkansas and across southern Missouri. This widespread heavy rain ...
Flash Flood — Nov 6, 2019
It warmed somewhat by the 6th (more seasonable temperatures), with mainly rain in the forecast. Precipitation expanded across the northern half of the state from Oklahoma ahead of an incoming cold front. Rain became heavy toward the Missouri border after dark, and did not make it into southern sections until after daybreak on the 7th.||Around 645 am CDT on the 7th, lightning sparked a fire at a...
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2016
Severe thunderstorms from August 3 to August 6, 2016 produced large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2013
A nearly stationary front in Arkansas, unusually high water content of the atmosphere, and occasional areas of low pressure aloft moving across the state brought heavy rain, some flash flooding, and a few severe storms from the 8th through the 11th. ||Some of the larger rainfall amounts for each day (for the 24-hour period ending at 7 AM on the stated date) included: |8th: 4.80 inches 2 miles...
Tropical Depression — Aug 30, 2012
Although Isaac was a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, it had weakened to a tropical depression by the time it reached Arkansas. Isaac passed through western Arkansas on the evening of the 30th and during the day on the 31st. Positions from the National Hurricane Center and the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center: August 30th at 10 PM (CDT) 95 miles south-southwest of Little Rock, August 31st...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Baxter County, Arkansas:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Baxter County, Arkansas that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.