Flood insurance in Arkansas

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Arkansas, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
11,109
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,060
$210 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$220.6M
across 10,260 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
72%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Arkansas, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2019, with $31.8 million paid on 503 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE72%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C28%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 42% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Arkansas

EventYearClaimsPaid
Mid-spring storms20111,067$29.5 million
Late spring severe storms2017578$25.8 million
Central U.S. April Flooding2025220$11.7 million
March storm2008230$6.7 million
Early winter storms2015168$5.0 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Arkansas with detailed pages, by number of policies. 50 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Pulaski County1,855$1,1651,720$30.4 million
Craighead County942$689410$7.9 million
Garland County791$1,485271$4.3 million
Washington County672$1,156435$13.7 million
Benton County562$1,145338$9.2 million
Crittenden County400$935887$12.8 million
Jefferson County317$873596$14.4 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Arkansas?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Arkansas costs about $1,060 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Arkansas?

There are about 11,109 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Arkansas, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Arkansas flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Arkansas have filed 10,260 flood claims, with $220.6 million paid out. 2,086 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.