Hot Springs, Arkansas Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Hot Springs lies in the Ouachita Mountains of Garland County and faces flash flooding from steep terrain that channels runoff through narrow valleys. Hot Springs Creek runs directly through the downtown historic district, creating concentrated flood risk.
Garland County has recorded 270 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $4.3M 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
922
Garland County
Avg. Premium
$1,199/yr
Garland County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Garland 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: $28.0M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $182K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Garland County
Garland County has been included in 7 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Garland County, including Hot Springs.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Garland County
Properties in Garland County have filed 270 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.3M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $16K.
Highest-Claim Years
2008
35 claims - $1.5M
1990
33 claims - $496K
1978
28 claims - $117K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Garland County
An estimated 2% of households in Garland County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
2%
Claims Ratio
1 in 3
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$15,941
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Garland County
Garland County has 23 properties with multiple flood losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. 5 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
23
Severe Rep. Loss
0
Mitigated
5
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: GARLAND County
NOAA has recorded 77 flood events in GARLAND County since 1996, causing $8.4M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Garland County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 56 properties in Garland County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Hot Springs
Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $28.0M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Hot Springs
Hot Springs 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). Hot Springs'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.
Hot Springs, AR Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Hot Springs, AR?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs?
If your Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs?
Enter your Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs experienced major flooding events?
Garland County, where Hot Springs is located, has been part of 7 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in 2025. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Hot Springs?
Garland County has recorded 270 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.3M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2008, with 35 claims and $1.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Hot Springs.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Hot Springs?
Garland County currently has 922 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,199. The most policies are in Zone AE (589 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Hot Springs properties have flooded repeatedly?
Garland County has 23 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs?
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 Hot Springs'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.