riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Arkansas

Clark County: Very Low Risk Nationally

Clark County's composite risk score of 41.09 places it in the "very low" category—significantly safer than the average American county. You're nearly 26% below the national baseline, making Clark one of the most protected counties in the natural disaster landscape. This standing reflects genuine geographic advantages across most hazard types.

Among Arkansas's Safest Counties

Clark's 41.09 score sits well below the state average of 55.51, positioning it in the lower third of Arkansas's 75 counties by risk. You enjoy roughly 26% lower risk than your state peers. This advantage is consistent across multiple hazard categories, from floods to tornadoes.

Competitive Safety With Regional Peers

Clark County (41.09) ranks slightly higher in risk than Chicot (43.77) and Columbia (42.08), though all three form a cluster of safe south Arkansas communities. Your neighbors in this region consistently outperform the state average. The margin between you is modest, reflecting stable geography across the area.

Tornado Risk Leads Your Hazards

Tornadoes present your highest risk at 68.38—well above your other hazards and notably above the county's overall low score. Earthquakes follow at 73.06, a concerning secondary risk despite low county-level composite risk. These two merit the bulk of your disaster planning focus.

Prioritize Tornado and Earthquake Coverage

Your tornado exposure at 68.38 demands a serious look at wind and hail riders on your homeowner's policy. Earthquake coverage, while less common, protects against your second-highest hazard at 73.06. Don't let "very low" overall risk fool you—these specific perils still require tailored insurance attention.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    51th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

Clark County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 41th percentile nationally. Clark County's 41th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (51th percentile), flood (38th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Clark County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Clark County's tornado risk at the 68th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Clark County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Arkansas county average exceeds Clark County's score by 14.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Clark County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Clark County, AR?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (73th percentile), tornado (68th percentile), hurricane (51th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 73th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Clark County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clark County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Clark County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clark County's earthquake risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clark County is at the 38th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Clark County a safe place to live?
Clark County's composite risk score of 41th percentile is below the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 73th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Prairie County

Arkansas

+0.3

Very Low

41th percentile

Lee County

Arkansas

-0.7

Very Low

40th percentile

Columbia County

Arkansas

+1.0

Very Low

42th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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