Benton, AR
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Benton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Saline County, AR. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, heat wave, and earthquake.
Storm events near Benton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Benton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Benton itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Saline County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Benton along with the rest of the county, not a Benton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 61.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 74.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 89.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 92.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 89.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 48.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 25.4 | Very Low |
| Hail | 87.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 56.1 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 95.6 | Very High |
| Landslide | 77.4 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 87 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 67 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 81.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Saline County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Saline County:
More on Saline County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Benton, AR at risk of?
Benton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Saline County, where Benton is located, are ice storm, heat wave, and earthquake.
What is Benton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Saline County, where Benton is located, scoring 95.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Benton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Benton carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Saline County.
Has Benton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 13 tornado, 153 hail, 186 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Benton since 2016.