Enter any address in Newton County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Newton County. In April 2024, a stalled cold front brought significant rainfall, leading to numerous reports of flash flooding. Similarly, in August 2020, 4.70 inches of rain at Jasper caused flooding in an apartment building.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding, with an average payout of $17,013 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Homeowners and residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those in Zone A designations, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
15 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Newton County, Arkansas has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 34 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 23, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 26, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 5, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 8, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Nov 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 3, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2015 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2015 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Nov 4, 2024
A cold front became a stationary front and stalled out across northern Arkansas leading to significant rainfall totals across northern Arkansas which led to numerous reports of flash flooding and significant rainfall totals.
Flash Flood — May 15, 2022
For much of the state, May 13th was the end of the heatwave as a cold front moved into the area and showers and thunderstorms developed. Thunderstorms were most widespread on the 15th with several reports of hail as large as golf balls and numerous wind damage reports. A wind gust of 58 mph was recorded at the Jacksonville/LR Air Force Base.||Some relief (cooler air) came on the 15th in the for...
Flash Flood — Oct 28, 2020
A big gullywasher came on the 28th as the system in the Plains neared. Rain came down in buckets over the northern half of the state, with four to more than five inch amounts at several locations. This included Des Arc (Prairie County) and Harrison (Boone County). Three to four inch totals occurred at Booneville (Logan County), Batesville (Independence County), Gilbert (Searcy County), Jonesbor...
Flash Flood — Aug 11, 2020
The heat was tempered on the 11th as storms returned to the region. The fireworks began in northwest sections of the state, and gradually spread to the south and east. By 200 pm CST, temperatures had cooled into the upper 60s to mid 70s in the north/west. It was only 69 degrees at Harrison (Boone County). At Jasper (Newton County), 4.70 inches of rain flooded an apartment building.||Later that ...
Flash Flood — Jun 3, 2020
An upper ridge was west of Arkansas and not directly over the state allowing thunderstorms to develop around its eastern periphery. On the 3rd, scattered storms popped up during the heat of the afternoon, with spotty severe weather in the north. There was quarter size hail at Mount Judea, and a tree was toppled onto a home in Parthenon (both in Newton County). Enough rain fell to flood Highway ...
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 Newton 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 Newton 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.