Enter any address in Independence County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood history of Independence County, accounting for 60 recorded events and 1 death over the last 30 years, alongside 32 general flood events, 3 tropical depression events, and 2 tropical storm events.
Recent occurrences demonstrate these seasonal threats. In February 2023, a strong storm system dropped 4 to 6 inches of rain, causing rapid rises on area rivers and flash flooding across the northwest half of the state. Later, a multiday heavy rainfall period in April 2025 brought river flooding that kept points along the White, Black, Cache, and Ouachita Rivers in flood through the end of the month, while heavy rainfall from a complex of showers and storms triggered flooding reports in February 2025.
NFIP claims data shows the highest volume of impacts in Zone A with 153 claims averaging a $15,399 payout and an average recorded water depth of 9 inches. Properties in Zone X also experienced losses, recording 17 claims with an average payout of $22,713 and an average water depth of 28 inches. Homeowners and real estate professionals near rivers and within designated Special Flood Hazard Areas should pay the closest attention to these risks, though properties in moderate-risk Zone X zones also require vigilance given the higher average water depths recorded in those claims.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Independence County, Arkansas has recorded 97 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 60 flash floods and 32 river or area floods. The county has received 31 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 (1968–2026)
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 And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 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, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2015 |
| Severe Storms,tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 27, 2014 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 21, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jan 30, 2025
River flooding occurred on the White River at Batesville in late January.
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
Heavy rainfall was observed with a complex of showers and storms that moved across the state. While a few storms may be been strong over southeast Arkansas, a few flooding reports were noted over central into north-central Arkansas.
Flood — Apr 5, 2025
Heavy rainfall over a multiday period brought flooding to many rivers across Arkansas. Points along the White, Black, Cache, and Ouachita Rivers remained in flood through the remainder of the month.
Flood — Jul 17, 2024
Heavy rain in Mid July led to river flooding on the White River basin.
Flood — Nov 5, 2024
Heavy rains led to river flooding on the White River in early November.
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 Independence 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 Independence County, Arkansas that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, 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.