Texarkana’s biggest natural hazard is inland flooding
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Texarkana comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 95 claims here since 1980. 10 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
What stands out about Texarkana’s weather risks
Read from FEMA’s records below. The page puts what stands out first.
Does Texarkana flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Texarkana, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding5 claims · $440K
- Hurricane Beryl2 claims · $23K
Texarkana is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Miller County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Texarkana
Disasters that paid out in Texarkana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Texarkana) and its biggest flood years.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding812 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$607K to the City of Texarkana for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 202012 flood claims paidOne of the three biggest flood years on record
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$107K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$25K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding173 households applied for aid$156K aid approved$25K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$2K to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$61K to the City of Texarkana for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2.1M to the City of Texarkana for repairs
- 199838 flood claims paidThe most in any one year on record
Miller County has had 17 natural disasters declared since 1953, most often severe storms and hurricanes.
Old photos of Texarkana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Texarkana archive →How exposed is Texarkana?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings here to be higher than in 69% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and hail.
Calmer than 422 of the 626 Arkansas towns we cover.
Texarkana covers 10 census tracts, combined by population.
What Texarkana faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Heat waves
Strong wind
Get ready for what Texarkana actually faces
A short kit for its top hazards, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Texarkana residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Most disasters here begin in April–May
The month each of Miller County’s 17 declared disasters began, since 1953.
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- An average, not a forecast. FEMA’s National Risk Index estimates the damage 18 kinds of natural hazards cause in a typical year, from decades of records and models. A quiet decade can follow a bad year.
- Compared by rate. “Higher than N%” compares yearly damage as a share of what’s there, so a big city isn’t rated riskier just for having more buildings.
- Money that reached town. Flood claims are matched to Texarkana’s own flood-insurance community; household aid to the registrant’s city; repair grants to the City of Texarkana.
- It follows property value. FEMA’s model weighs damage to buildings, so a place that recently lost many homes can rate lower than it feels. Across Texarkana, expected losses total about $12.5M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Texarkana.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. An average of past damage, not a forecast.