Flooding is one of the most common and dangerous weather events in Arkansas. The City of Bald Knob urges all residents to take flood threats seriously and follow these safety guidelines to stay safe and informed before, during, and after a flood.
Stay Weather Aware
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Sign up for local weather alerts. Reference our General Preparedness Tips for a list of great weather applications to install on your mobile device.
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Use reliable weather apps like KATV, KARK, or WeatherBug.
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Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio or local news outlets.
Know Your Risk
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Check if you live in a flood-prone area using NOAA's flood maps. (A download to this application can be found here under the list of weather apps.
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If your home is in a low-lying or floodplain area, prepare to evacuate early.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
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Reference our General Preparedness Tips for a complete checklist to build your own Emergency Kit.
Secure Your Home
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Elevate electrical appliances.
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Clear gutters and drains.
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Place sandbags around entryways if needed.
Community Impact from Flooding in Bald Knob
Flooding poses significant challenges, not only from property damage but also in terms of access to essential services, utilities, transportation, and overall economic stability. For the city of Bald Knob, the current flood risk is categorized as minor. This assessment is based on the level of flooding risk to individual properties rather than the proportion of properties affected.
Flood Risk Impact Breakdown
To gauge the full community impact, we analyze the operational risk both for today and in the next 30 years. This assessment factors in the property use, flood depth, and specific considerations for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, power stations, police and fire stations, airports, roads, and other vital services.
Residential Impact: Minor
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Residential areas face a minor flood risk, meaning most homes are unlikely to be significantly impacted by floods in the foreseeable future. However, localized flooding may still occur, and homeowners should be mindful of potential flood zones in their areas.
Commercial Impact: Moderate
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Commercial properties in Bald Knob experience a moderate level of risk. Flooding could disrupt business operations, especially in areas near waterways or lower elevation zones. Business owners are encouraged to stay informed about flood forecasts and take necessary precautions.
Infrastructure Impact: Minimal
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Critical infrastructure in Bald Knob, including power stations, police stations, and fire stations, faces minimal flood risk. While floods may cause occasional disruptions, these facilities are designed to withstand minor flooding and remain operational under most circumstances.
Social Impact: Minimal
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The social infrastructure of Bald Knob, including public spaces and community centers, is minimally impacted by flooding. While there may be temporary disruptions, the impact on social activities and community events is not significant.
Roads Impact: Moderate
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The roadways in Bald Knob experience a moderate level of flooding risk. Heavy rainfall can lead to road closures and travel delays, particularly in low-lying areas. Commuters should stay aware of flood conditions, especially during heavy rain events.
What This Means for Bald Knob's Future
The flood risk assessments for Bald Knob reflect a general outlook of minimal to moderate risk, especially for residential and infrastructure areas. However, as climate patterns change, future assessments may show increased flood risks over the next 30 years. It is important for residents, business owners, and city officials to stay informed, take necessary precautions, and ensure that flood risk mitigation strategies are in place.
For the latest information on flooding risks and to track updates, please visit the First Street Foundation website at Flood Factor.
*As of April 18, 2025, this data is current and provides valuable insight into the flooding risks that Bald Knob could face in the near future. It is essential that the community remains proactive in flood preparedness and resilience building.
Anticipating Changes in Flood Risk for Bald Knob
Flooding risks can vary depending on the type of storm event. Deeper floods, often caused by major events like hurricanes, are less likely to occur but can affect a larger number of properties. In contrast, more shallow floods, such as those resulting from heavy rainfall, are more frequent but typically affect fewer properties.
As Bald Knob experiences the effects of a changing environment, the risk of flooding—whether from major or minor events—is likely to increase over time. It’s important to understand that as climate patterns shift, the frequency and extent of flooding may impact more properties across the community.
Risk of Severe Flooding Today and in 30 Years
Currently, if a low-likelihood, severe flood event (such as a 1-in-100 year storm) were to occur, it could affect approximately 95 properties in Bald Knob. This type of flood event has a 26% chance of occurring at least once during the 30-year life of a mortgage.
Looking ahead, in 30 years, this same type of flood event could impact 96 properties in Bald Knob, highlighting the gradual increase in flood risk as environmental factors change.
This Year
In 30 Years
For more direct information and in-depth details about Bald Knob’s flood risk, including maps, property-specific data, and long-term projections, residents are encouraged to visit First Street Foundation’s Bald Knob Flood Risk Report. This resource provides valuable insights into how flooding may impact the area now and in the future, helping individuals make more informed decisions about preparedness and safety.
