Enter any address in Clay County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rain events is the dominant flood character in Clay County, AR. Recent examples include flash flooding that occurred in August 2024, associated with merging and intensifying mesoscale convective systems, and in April 2025, driven by heavy rain and training storms.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $22,277 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded. Properties in Zone A, and those in other zones with recorded flood damage, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clay County, Arkansas has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 27 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 |
| 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Severe Storms,tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 2, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2017 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Dec 27, 2015 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2014 | 685.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 21, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
The front eventually sagged south back into the Mid-South during the early morning hours of April 5th. Strong low-level moisture transport into the frontal zone resulted in heavy rain and training storms across northern sections of the Mid-South, mainly north of I-40. A bow echo developed along and just south of the slowly advancing front. This feature crossed the entire forecast area producing...
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2024
A couple of decaying mesoscale convective systems moved out of southern Missouri and north central Arkansas and then merged and intensified over the Mid-South during the early morning hours of August 17. 2024. Storms fed on a fairly unstable airmass across the region and were aided by about 30 knots of bulk shear. There were several instances of damaging winds with isolated large hail and flash...
Flash Flood — Jan 2, 2023
A warm front lifted northward off the Gulf Coast, causing rapid moisture transport to the Mid-South. In addition, an upper-level trough and associated cold front approached the area. This led to showers in the afternoon and then severe thunderstorms that continued through the overnight hours. Damaging wind, hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding were the result.
Flash Flood — Oct 25, 2021
A weakening cold front pushed into the Mid-South during the early morning hours of October 25, 2021. Slow-moving thunderstorms over parts of Northeast Arkansas resulted in isolated flash flooding.
Flood — May 1, 2017
Very heavy rain fell across the Eleven Point River, Current River and Black River basins in Missouri and Arkansas at the end of April into early. As a result major river flooding occured in Clay, Randolph and Lawrence counties into early May. The levee along the Black River east of Pocahontas failed resulting in flash flooding across parts of Randolph and Lawrence counties. A major disaster de...
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 Clay 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 Clay 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.