riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Craighead County Disaster Risk

Craighead County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Craighead County

Risk Verdict

Craighead County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Craighead County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 98th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (79th), hurricane (57th), wildfire (44th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Craighead County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Craighead County is significantly riskier than the average county in Arkansas. Its composite risk score is 36.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Craighead County, AR?
Craighead County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th 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 Craighead County?
Craighead County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (98th percentile), tornado (98th percentile), flooding (79th percentile), hurricane (57th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 98th 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 Craighead County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Craighead County's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Craighead County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Craighead County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Craighead County's earthquake risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Craighead County is at the 79th 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.
Why is Craighead County higher risk than average?
Craighead County's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (98th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Washington County

Arkansas

+0.5

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Garland County

Arkansas

-2.5

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Mississippi County

Arkansas

-2.6

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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