Bentonville, Arkansas Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Bentonville in Benton County faces flooding from tributaries of the Illinois River watershed draining the Ozark Plateau. Rapid commercial and residential growth has increased impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff into local creeks.
Benton County has recorded 336 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $9.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
657
Benton County
Avg. Premium
$1,073/yr
Benton County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Benton County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $49.7M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $109K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Benton County
Benton County has been included in 7 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Benton County, including Bentonville.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Benton County
Properties in Benton County have filed 336 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $9.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $27K.
Highest-Claim Years
2017
57 claims - $2.9M
2021
54 claims - $2.1M
2011
36 claims - $670K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Benton County
An estimated 0.6% of households in Benton County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
Claims Ratio
1 in 2
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$27,182
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Benton County
Benton County has 42 properties with multiple flood losses, including 8 severe repetitive loss properties. 2 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
42
Severe Rep. Loss
8
Mitigated
2
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: BENTON County
NOAA has recorded 142 flood events in BENTON County since 1996, causing $7.7M in damage and 10 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Benton County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 50 properties in Benton County, investing $72K in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Bentonville
Bentonville faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Bentonville are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $49.7M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Bentonville depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood zone boundaries in Bentonville can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Bentonville address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Bentonville
Bentonville participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Bentonville's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Bentonville, AR Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Bentonville, AR?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Bentonville are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Bentonville?
If your Bentonville property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Bentonville?
Enter your Bentonville address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Bentonville offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Bentonville participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Bentonville experienced major flooding events?
Benton County, where Bentonville is located, has been part of 7 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Laura in 2020. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Bentonville?
Benton County has recorded 336 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $9.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2017, with 57 claims and $2.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Bentonville.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Bentonville?
Benton County currently has 657 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,073. The most policies are in Zone AE (315 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Bentonville properties have flooded repeatedly?
Benton County has 42 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 8 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Bentonville property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Bentonville?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Bentonville's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Arkansas Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
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Enter a Bentonville, AR address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.