Enter any address in Franklin County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Franklin County, AR. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 69 flash flood events and 15 flood events. For example, heavy rainfall from thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding on April 4th and September 23rd in recent years.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $21,107 for 5.2 feet of water depth. Properties in Zone A have also filed claims, averaging $7,259 with 0.6 feet of water depth. One claim in an unknown zone had a significantly higher payout of $12,813 with an average water depth of 16.0 feet.
Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay particular attention to flood risk, especially those in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, and any properties located near waterways that could be susceptible to flash flooding.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, Arkansas has recorded 85 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 69 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2026)
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 And Flooding | Flood | May 21, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 5, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 24, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 5, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 23, 2025
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed into northwestern Arkansas from the northwest during the afternoon of the 23rd, and additional thunderstorms developed across the area during the late afternoon and evening as a cold front moved through the region. The strongest storms produced large hail to ping pong ball size and damaging wind gusts. Locally heavy rainfall from these thunderstorms prod...
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2025
A slow-moving cluster of thunderstorms developed across portions of west central Arkansas during the morning of the 8th, as an upper level disturbance approached the area from the northwest. The atmosphere was unusually moist, which enhanced the rainfall rates from the slow-moving thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall resulted in some flash flooding.
Flood — Apr 5, 2025
Strong thunderstorms developed across portions of northwestern Arkansas during the early morning hours of the 4th, as lift associated with an approaching upper level disturbance increased north of a stationary front across northeastern Oklahoma and southern Arkansas. Additional rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms occurred across the area during the evening of the 4th, and then again during...
Flash Flood — Apr 4, 2025
Strong thunderstorms developed across portions of northwestern Arkansas during the early morning hours of the 4th, as lift associated with an approaching upper level disturbance increased north of a stationary front across northeastern Oklahoma and southern Arkansas. Additional rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms occurred across the area during the evening of the 4th, and then again during...
Flood — Nov 5, 2024
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed into and across northwestern Arkansas during the afternoon of the 4th, in an unseasonably moist and unstable air mass ahead of an approaching cold front. The atmosphere became very unstable ahead of the thunderstorms. The deep-layer and low-level wind shear strengthened during the afternoon, in response to a strong storm system translating into the South...
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.