Baxter County, AR Environment & Hazard Risk

• Ice stormVery High$2.9M/yr expected annual loss, about 2.0 events a year
• Strong windRelatively High$1.7M/yr expected annual loss, about 3.4 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.9M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.1M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 288 years
• LandslideRelatively Low$14.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.4 events a year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$512K/yr expected annual loss, about 57 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$139K/yr expected annual loss, about 8.8 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$824K/yr expected annual loss, about 9.4 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Moderate$1.6M/yr expected annual loss, about 2.4 events a year
• WildfireRelatively Low$136K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 461 years
• HurricaneVery Low$15.3K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 104 years
• HailRelatively Low$96.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.1 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, drought, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

77 of 23,052 (0.3%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

982

Insured in high-risk zones

71 (7%)

Flood claims since 1978

115

Claims paid since 1978

$2.9M

• Thunderstorm Wind224 · 1 death
• Hail175
• Winter Weather61
• Flash Flood32
• Winter Storm30
• Heavy Snow16
• Drought15
• Tornado15 · 2 deaths
• Heavy Rain14
• Strong Wind8 · 1 death

• TornadoEF2, 5.28 mi path, 880 yd wide02/06/2008

  Cotter, Baxter County

  1 death, 35 injured, $15.8M damage

  What happened

  The tornado moved from Marion County, north-northeast of Rea Valley, into Baxter County, just east-southeast of Cotter. A survey by the Red Cross indicated 21 houses were destroyed, 23 suffered major damage, 35 had minor damage, and 147 others were affected. In addition, 9 mobile homes were destroyed, 12 suffered major damage, 10 had minor damage, and 10 others were affected. One fatality occurred in a mobile home park. Most of the residential structures were in the area around Gassville. A number of businesses in Gassville, along U.S. Highway 62/412, were damaged. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were blown down. The tornado dissipated before reaching Mountain Home.

• Ice Storm01/26/2009

  Baxter

  $50M damage

  What happened

  According to the National Weather Service cooperative observer at Mountain Home 1/2 to 1 inch of freezing rain and sleet had already accumulated by 4:15 AM CST on the 27th. At 8:00 AM, a storm spotter 3 miles northeast of Mountain Home reported 1/2 inch of ice atop 1 1/2 inches of sleet. The automated observing station at Mountain Home measured 0.24 inch of freezing rain between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. At 10:45 AM, a KYTV viewer in Mountain Home reported between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of ice clinging to tree branches.

• TornadoEF3, 20.3 mi path, 1,760 yd wide05/26/2024

  Buffalo, Baxter County

  1 death, 17 injured

  What happened

  The Briarcliff Tornado continued in Baxter County from Marion County and|moved through a small residential area along the White River,|pulling siding and shingles off houses in addition to causing|significant tree damage. The tornado continued eastward, further|expanding in width, and reached a maximum width of up to 1 mile|wide, crossing mostly rural areas and causing significant tree|damage, passing across Wild Hog Mountain, and crossing Shipps|Ferry Road and Round Rock Trail. As it approached the Arkana and|Norfork Village area, the path width contracted slightly, and|large swaths of trees were found uprooted and snapped as it|crossed the White River briefly once again north of Hwy 341 at|Riverside Dr. The tornado continued northeast towards Briarcliff,|where mostly tree damage was observed to the west of Highway 5.|As the tornado crossed the highway, widespread tree damage became|prevalent, with most trees snapped at their trunks. A few|structures were severely damaged, including a home, and a metal|shop building. The tornado also impacted a local RV/trailer|camping park, where five fifth-wheel recreation trailers were|tossed and completely destroyed. One fatality was...

• Strong Wind30 kt wind04/11/2007

  Baxter

  1 death, 1 injured

  What happened

  A couple went fishing on Lake Norfork (near Jordan) in a flat-bottom johnboat-type vessel. During the day, they fished in a cove. During the afternoon, while attempting to return to their launching point, they got out into the main channel of the lake where winds were producing swells estimated up to four feet high. Waves began going over the front of the boat and eventually swamped the boat. A woman in the boat drowned and her husband was taken by helicopter to the hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia and water ingestion.

• Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind06/23/2017

  Ellis, Baxter County

  1 death

  What happened

  ONE FATAL, and this is a delayed report. A man was in Lake Norfork when thunderstorm winds overturned his kayak. Emergency personnel tried to revive him...but he eventually died.

• Ice Storm01/01/1999

  Baxter

  1 death

  What happened

  A major ice storm developed over northern and central Arkansas during the morning of January 1st and lasted through the evening hours. The icing was found mainly north of Clarksville, Perryville, Little Rock and Hazen. Precipitation began developing over southern and western Arkansas and gradually spread eastward. The precipitation was mostly in the form of rain which froze on contact with roadways and exposed surfaces in northern and central sections of the state. In portions of northern Arkansas, more than an inch of ice was reported...with extensive tree and power line damage. At one point during the evening of the January 1st, up to 85 percent of Boone County had lost power. It was estimated that up to 100,000 customers were without power during the event. Numerous traffic accidents occurred, but only minor injuries were reported. However, the ice did claim one life. A man in Baxter County slipped on the ice while carrying a gun, with the gun accidently firing...killing the man. Warmer air was trying to surge northward during the period, but with slow progress. From 6pm on January 1st to 12am on January 2nd, the surface temperature at Harrison remained at 30 degrees....

• Mountain Home WaterworksServes 19,618 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• North East Public Water AuthServes 4,665 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Lakeview-Midway Public Water AuthorityServes 4,344 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Gassville WaterworksServes 2,058 · Groundwater (surface influenced) · Local governmentNo health violations
• Brunner Hill Public Water AuthorityServes 1,325 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation
• Cotter WaterworksServes 1,233 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Norfork WaterworksServes 1,003 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Salesville Community Water AssociationServes 715 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+3 monitoring or reporting