Federal records document 87 natural disaster events in the West Memphis, AR area (ZIP 72301). These include 44 hailstorms, 19 floods, and 10 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $50.4M. These events have resulted in 9 recorded deaths and 130 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for West Memphis is hailstorms, with 44 recorded events making up 51% of the area's disaster history. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $262.2K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 26, 2024.
There have been 19 recorded floods in this area, representing 22% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (42%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $8.8M in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Aug 8, 2025.
West Memphis has experienced 10 tornadoes on record. Of these, 3 (30%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $41M in documented property damage. 6 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 25, 2011.
West Memphis has experienced 8 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (25%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $105K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Mar 2, 2014.
West Memphis has experienced 5 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $170K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Dec 10, 2021.
West Memphis has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jul 28, 2008.
The most significant disaster event on record for West Memphis was EF3 Tornado on Dec 14, 1987, which caused $25M in property damage and was linked to 6 fatalities. Another major event was Flash Flood (May 1, 2010), causing $7.5M in damages. EF1 Tornado on Nov 27, 1994 also caused significant damage ($5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 72301 has experienced 87 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (44 events), floods (19 events), tornadoes (10 events), blizzards (8 events), severe wind events (5 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 51% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in West Memphis, AR, with 44 events documented. These events have caused a combined $262.2K in property damage.
Yes, West Memphis (ZIP 72301) has 19 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $8.8M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Aug 8, 2025.
West Memphis has 10 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $41M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 25, 2011.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 72301 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Dec 14, 1987. This event caused $25M in documented property damage. It resulted in 6 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $50.4M in property damage in the West Memphis, AR area (ZIP 72301). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →