Fayetteville, AR Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Fayetteville faces flash flooding risks from creeks and streams draining the Ozark Plateau. Rapid urban growth has increased stormwater runoff and flood risk in previously undeveloped areas.
Washington County has recorded 433 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $13.5M 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
805
Washington County
Avg. Premium
$1,038/yr
Washington County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Washington 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: $42.2M
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $124K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Washington County
Washington County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Washington County, including Fayetteville.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Washington County
Properties in Washington County have filed 433 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $13.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $31K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
105 claims - $2.5M
2017
90 claims - $4.5M
2022
64 claims - $2.8M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Washington County
Only roughly 1 in 121 households in Washington County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.8% of estimated households). With 141 recorded flood events and $8.9M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.8%
roughly 1 in 121 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
433 claims over 45+ years across 805 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$31,194
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Washington County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Fayetteville.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Fayetteville
Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $42.2M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Washington County
Washington County has 66 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
66
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
3
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Washington County
NOAA has recorded 141 flood events in Washington County since 1996, causing $8.9M in damage and 5 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Washington County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 43 properties in Washington County, investing $785K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Fayetteville
Fayetteville 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 9
SFHA Premium Discount
5% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Fayetteville's Class 9 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 5% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Fayetteville, AR Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Fayetteville, AR?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?
If your Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?
Enter your Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Fayetteville participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 9 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 5% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Fayetteville experienced major flooding events?
Washington County, where Fayetteville is located, has been part of 6 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 Fayetteville?
Washington County has recorded 433 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $13.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 105 claims and $2.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Fayetteville.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Fayetteville?
Washington County currently has 805 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,038. The most policies are in Zone AE (461 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Fayetteville properties have flooded repeatedly?
Washington County has 66 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?
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 Fayetteville'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.
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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.