Natural Disasters in Appleton, AR
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
77.8
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
79.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
36.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
59.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 96.2 |
| Tornado | 94.6 |
| Heat Wave | 86.1 |
| Earthquake | 84.1 |
| Strong Wind | 81.1 |
| Winter Weather | 79.2 |
| Wildfire | 72.3 |
| Lightning | 70.8 |
| Landslide | 67.6 |
| Hail | 57.2 |
| Drought | 51.9 |
| Cold Wave | 51.1 |
| Hurricane | 43.0 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
19
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 5, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Aug 27, 2020 | Hurricane | HURRICANE LAURA |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Jun 8, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| May 30, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jun 16, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 6, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 28, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 26, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 7, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 2, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Dec 29, 2000 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER ICE STORM |
| Mar 2, 1997 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| May 15, 1990 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Dec 13, 1982 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING |
| Dec 3, 1976 | Drought | DROUGHT |
| May 29, 1968 | Tornado | TORNADOES, SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
64
Total Claims Paid
$969,986
Avg Claim Payout
$15,156
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$1,737,472
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
231
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1751 | Severe Storm(s) | 205 | $1,505,298 |
| DR-1845 | Severe Storm(s) | 23 | $171,874 |
| DR-1819 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $60,300 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
21
Federal Funding
$8,994,862
Properties Protected
12
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
3.99
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 18 | $8,291,797 |
| 206.1: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Private Structures | 1 | $636,315 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $36,750 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $30,000 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Appleton has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, tornado, heat wave. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 64 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,737,472 in public assistance recovery funding. 21 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.