Enter any address in Cleveland County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Cleveland County, Arkansas. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 recorded flash flood events, alongside 10 general flood events and a few tropical storm and depression impacts. Recent examples include flash flooding in May 2023, following periods of heavy rainfall, and in January 2023, associated with severe thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $13,736 and an average water depth of 2.3 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located in or near flood-prone areas, especially those without a documented Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cleveland County, Arkansas has recorded 46 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2026)
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 Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 30, 2023 |
| Hurricane Laura | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Tornado | Apr 12, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 8, 2016 |
| 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 | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 27, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 9, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 21, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Depression | Aug 29, 2012 | 500.00K |
Flash Flood — May 12, 2023
A cold front stalled across the northern counties of Arkansas, and the focus shifted to a storm system headed this way from Texas on the 10th/11th. As the system approached, moisture levels went through the roof. Storm clouds had more than usual moisture to wring out, making them more efficient rain makers. Two to more than four inches of rain dumped from southwest into central sections of Arka...
Flash Flood — May 11, 2023
A cold front stalled across the northern counties of Arkansas, and the focus shifted to a storm system headed this way from Texas on the 10th/11th. As the system approached, moisture levels went through the roof. Storm clouds had more than usual moisture to wring out, making them more efficient rain makers. Two to more than four inches of rain dumped from southwest into central sections of Arka...
Flash Flood — Jan 3, 2023
A few strong to severe thunderstorms moved across Arkansas on the afternoon and evening of the 2nd. Damaging winds and a tornado occurred over portions of far southeast Arkansas. Over central and northern Arkansas, storms occurred but damage was highly localized. Another tornado moved through Jessieville causing damage.
Flash Flood — Jun 8, 2021
Hit and miss thunderstorms ramped up on the 6th. Two to more than three inches of rain was measured at Cane Creek State Park (Lincoln County), Fordyce (Dallas County), Monticello (Drew County), Nashville (Howard County), and Pine Bluff (Jefferson County). Several roads were under water between Avilla (Saline County) and Ferndale (Pulaski County), and also at Monticello (Drew County).||During th...
Tropical Storm — Aug 27, 2020
Tropical Storm Laura moved ashore from the Gulf of Mexico near Cameron, LA, around 1200 AM CST on August 27, 2020 with 150 mph sustained winds! This part of the state had never experienced such a powerful (Category 4) hurricane. Measured gusts exceeded 130 mph in Lake Charles, LA. Not only was there widespread structural damage, a television tower was destroyed and the WSR-88D (Doppler Weather ...
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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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.