Enter any address in Polk County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Polk County, AR. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 64 flash flood events compared to 2 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding associated with heavy rainfall in March 2023 and May 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,622 and an average water depth of 2.8 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts of $10,551, despite a lower average water depth of 1.0 foot. Residents in Zone A, and those in areas with higher payouts regardless of zone designation, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
30 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Polk County, Arkansas has recorded 66 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 64 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 24 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 |
| 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 | 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 30, 2013 |
| 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 | Mar 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 24, 2023
Several inches of rain fell across Arkansas associated with a storm system moving across the region. Flash flooding and some severe weather was noted.
Flash Flood — Mar 16, 2023
A strong storm system moved across Arkansas late in the day on the 16th bringing heavy rainfall to western and southwestern Arkansas.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2021
Abundant moisture/high humidity relocated to the Plains from the 20th to the 23rd, and we dried out temporarily. It did not last, with moisture shifting in this direction by the 25th. Early in the day, thunderstorms east of Oklahoma City, OK weakened, and left behind a system aloft. This mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) initiated new thunderstorms over the Ouachita Mountains in the afternoon.|...
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2020
The heat/humidity energized the environment on the 29th, and this happened as a cold front slowly approached from Missouri. Ahead of the front, strong to severe thunderstorms popped up in northern Arkansas in the afternoon. There was an estimated 60 mph wind gust just northeast of Damascus (Van Buren County) and a 70 mph gust at Alicia (Lawrence County). Trees were blown down at the latter loca...
Flash Flood — 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 Polk 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 Polk 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.