Enter any address in Desha County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe weather is the most frequent flood event in Desha County, AR, with 37 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Other flood events, including general floods and tropical storms, have also occurred. For example, a multiday severe weather event in April 2025 brought widespread flash flooding and river flooding across the state due to rainfall totals between half a foot to over one foot in many locations. Another instance of flash flooding occurred in June 2021 following hit-and-miss thunderstorms that dropped several inches of rain, leading to flooded roads.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 126 claims averaging $16,316 and an average water depth of 5.4 feet. Properties in Zone X, despite having fewer claims (18), reported the highest average payout of $39,298 with an average water depth of 3.8 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X who may experience deeper water, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Desha County, Arkansas has recorded 55 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 And Flooding | Flood | May 21, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 8, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Associated Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2011 |
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 | Jul 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 1000.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 13, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 5, 2025
Severe weather, including widespread flash flooding occurred over a five day period across the entire state. This multiday event featured tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail. But by far and large, flash flooding and river flooding were the biggest impacts taken away from this unsettled period of weather due to total rainfall amounts between half a foot to over one foot in many locati...
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2021
Late on the 16th and into the 17th, downpours developed and remained over the southeast for several hours. By 800 am to 900 am CST on the 17th, the observer at Kelso (Desha County) reported 6.49 inches of precipitation, and Rohwer (Desha County) had 6.55 inches. Near the latter location, Highway 1 was inundated with water and became impassible.||It was the wettest July day at Rohwer (Desha Coun...
Flash Flood — Jun 10, 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...
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 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...
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...
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 Desha 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 Desha 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.