Cleveland County Disaster Risk
Cleveland County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
9th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#74
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
14th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cleveland County, Arkansas
Cleveland County: Exceptionally Safe Community
Cleveland County's composite risk score of 9.48 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation—an exceptional achievement in natural disaster safety. You're 94% safer than the average American county and face minimal exposure across nearly every hazard category. This outstanding position reflects Cleveland's fortunate geography and hazard distribution.
Arkansas's Safest County by Far
Cleveland's 9.48 score dwarfs the state average of 55.51 by 83%, making it the safest county in Arkansas by a dramatic margin. No other Arkansas county approaches your level of protection. Your location offers genuine security advantages that most of your state peers simply cannot match.
Far Safer Than Regional Peers
Cleveland's 9.48 is less than one-quarter the risk of nearby Columbia County (42.08) and less than one-fifth of Chicot's 43.77—a dramatic safety advantage. Even Clark County at 41.09 faces over four times your risk exposure. This superiority reflects Cleveland's unique geographic blessing.
Minimal Hazard Exposure Overall
Even your highest risk—earthquakes at 62.91—remains well below your county's already-low composite score, indicating balanced, manageable exposure. Tornadoes reach 40.36 and floods just 13.93, placing Cleveland in the safest quartile nationwide for these hazards. Your entire risk portfolio stays remarkably contained.
Standard Coverage Provides Excellent Protection
Your exceptional safety profile means standard homeowner's insurance provides robust protection against Cleveland County's minimal natural disaster threats. Consider earthquake riders as an affordable enhancement given your 62.91 score, but flood and wind coverage needs are genuinely low. Your risk profile allows flexibility in insurance selection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cleveland County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cleveland County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Cleveland County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 9th percentile. A 9th percentile score positions Cleveland County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Cleveland County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), flood (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 63th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Cleveland County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Cleveland County's hurricane risk at the 51th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Cleveland County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
Cleveland County is 46.0 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Cleveland County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cleveland County, AR?
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Is Cleveland County a safe place to live?
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.