Enter any address in Van Buren County, Arkansas to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Van Buren County, AR. Between 2025 and 2025, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 36 flash flood events compared to 6 general flood events over the past 30 years. Recent examples include a significant rain event in January 2025 that led to flash flooding across central and northern Arkansas, and strong thunderstorms in June 2025 that caused numerous instances of flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone X areas have seen claims with moderate water depth and payouts, Zone A and particularly Zone UNKNOWN areas have experienced higher average payouts and, in the case of Zone UNKNOWN, significantly deeper water. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone UNKNOWN, as well as those residing near waterways, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
29 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Van Buren County, Arkansas has recorded 42 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2026)
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 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 11, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 30, 2025
A slowly lifting warm front across Arkansas led to a significant rain event across central and northern Arkansas during a period of several days. Rainfall totals mounted across the northern half of the state and by January 30th locations across central and northern Arkansas experienced Flash Flooding after receiving additional rainfall.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2025
Heavy rains brought isolated flash flooding to portions of Arkansas.
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2025
A cold front swept from northwest to southeast across Arkansas which initiated strong to severe thunderstorms ahead of the line. Of these storms, some would reach severe criteria producing a swath of wind damage and numerous instances of flash flooding across the state of Arkansas.
Flood — Feb 8, 2023
Heavy to excessive rain was in the forecast on February 7th/8th, especially in northern and western Arkansas. This was ahead of a storm system in the southern Plains, and north of a nearly stationary front draped across central sections of the state. South of the front, increasing warmth/moisture set the stage for the possibility of severe thunderstorms toward evening on the 8th.||The placement...
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2021
A strong upper low slowly pivoted towards Arkansas from Texas on the 28th. Abundant moisture streamed into the region ahead of the system, resulting in efficient rainfall rates over the northern half of the state once showers and thunderstorm initiated. Rainfall amounts of three to six inches was not uncommon, leading to flash flooding and river flooding.
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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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.