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Centerton, Arkansas Flood Zones

Last updated: March 2026

Centerton is a fast-growing city in Benton County in Northwest Arkansas. Tributaries of the Illinois River and Spavinaw Creek flow through the area, and new development on previously permeable land has increased flash flood risk during intense storms.

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 Moderate

Est. annual loss: $49.7M

Hurricane Risk

Very Low

Est. annual loss: $109K

Social Vulnerability: Very Low
Community Resilience: Relatively Moderate

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.

2020Hurricane LauraHurricane
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane
1990Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1974Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1973Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1972Severe Storms & FloodingFlood
1969Severe Storms & FloodingFlood

These declarations affected communities across Benton County, including Centerton.

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

Zone X
119(avg. $32K)
Zone A
108(avg. $32K)
Zone AE
103(avg. $17K)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.

Active NFIP Policies: Benton County

Benton County currently has 657 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,073, totaling $705K in annual premiums.

Average Annual Premium

Benton County$1,073
National Average$915

Policies by Flood Zone

Zone AE
315(avg. $1,080/yr)
Zone X
213(avg. $783/yr)
Zone A
129(avg. $1,536/yr)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API. Data sourced March 2026.

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

Zone A
15
Zone X
14
Zone AE
13

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

08-AUG-13Flash Flood$2M
21-JUN-00Flash Flood$1.2M
03-JUL-04Flash Flood$1M
08-AUG-13Flash Flood$1M
08-AUG-13Flash Flood$1M

Events by Type

Flash Flood
128
Flood
14

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

Safe Room/Wind Shelter
46
Acquisition
3
Other
1

Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.

What Your Flood Zone Means in Centerton

Centerton 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 Centerton 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 Centerton 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 Centerton 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 Centerton address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Centerton

Centerton 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 7

SFHA Premium Discount

15% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Centerton's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% 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.

Centerton, AR Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Centerton, AR?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Centerton 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 Centerton?

If your Centerton 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 Centerton?

Enter your Centerton 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 Centerton offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Centerton participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Has Centerton experienced major flooding events?

Benton County, where Centerton 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 Centerton?

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 Centerton.

How many flood insurance policies are active in Centerton?

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 Centerton 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 Centerton 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 Centerton?

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 Centerton'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.

Look Up Any Centerton, AR Address

Enter a Centerton, 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.