Clay County Disaster Risk
Clay County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
72th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#20
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
40th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Arkansas
Clay County's Surprising Risk Profile
Clay County scores 71.63 on the composite risk scale—higher than the national average—yet earns a "relatively low" rating due to its specific hazard mix. Your exposure concentrates in earthquakes (93.89) and tornadoes (71.12), while floods and wildfires remain manageable. This uneven distribution means your true risk lies in a few targeted hazards.
Above-Average Risk, Solid State Standing
Clay County's 71.63 exceeds Arkansas's 55.51 state average by 29%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk. Your score ranks above roughly half of Arkansas counties, driven largely by exceptional earthquake exposure. Despite this elevation, you still rate "relatively low" overall—a testament to manageable risk in other categories.
Riskier Than Nearby Clark County
Clay's 71.63 substantially exceeds Clark County's 41.09—a 74% higher risk level—reflecting Clay's dramatic earthquake hazard at 93.89. Your neighbors in Clark and Chicot counties enjoy more balanced risk profiles. This difference underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness specific to your county.
Earthquakes Dominate Your Exposure
Earthquakes pose an exceptional risk at 93.89—among the highest in the state—making this your defining natural disaster concern. Tornadoes add secondary pressure at 71.12, while floods and wildfires pose much lower threats. Your disaster planning should center almost entirely on seismic safety and tornado sheltering.
Earthquake Insurance Is Non-Negotiable
Standard homeowner's policies exclude earthquake damage, but your 93.89 risk score demands standalone earthquake coverage as a top priority. Pair this with comprehensive tornado protection—your 71.12 score warrants quality wind and hail riders. This two-pronged approach directly targets your actual hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clay County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clay County
Risk Verdict
Clay County ranks at the 72th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (50th percentile), flood (40th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Clay County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 71th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Clay County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Clay County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Arkansas counties, Clay County runs 16.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Clay County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clay County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Clay County?
How does Clay County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Clay County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clay County higher risk than average?
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.