Cross County Disaster Risk
Cross County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#29
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
39th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cross County, Arkansas
Cross County below national average
Cross County's 64.92 composite risk score places it in the Relatively Low category, performing better than the national average. However, an earthquake risk of 94.69 stands as a notable local concern despite the county's overall moderate profile.
Near-average risk for Arkansas
Cross County's 64.92 score slightly exceeds Arkansas's state average of 55.51, positioning it in the middle tier of state risk rankings. The county's earthquake exposure is the primary driver of above-average composite risk.
Less risky than Crittenden County
Cross County's 64.92 score is substantially lower than neighboring Crittenden County's 82.95, though both face similar high earthquake risks (94.69 vs. 96.41). Cross County benefits from lower tornado and flood threats, making it measurably safer overall.
Earthquakes and tornadoes loom large
Earthquake risk at 94.69 represents Cross County's primary hazard, reflecting proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, while tornado risk at 61.48 poses a secondary seasonal threat. Flood risk remains moderate at 39.34 compared to many Arkansas counties.
Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage
Cross County residents should purchase earthquake insurance immediately, as it is not included in standard policies and seismic risk here is very high. Add comprehensive wind and hail coverage to your homeowners policy to address tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cross County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cross County
Risk Verdict
Cross County's FEMA risk score places it at the 65th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Cross County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (50th percentile), flood (39th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 95th percentile nationally, Cross County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Cross County's tornado risk at the 61th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Cross County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Arkansas county average is 9.4 composite points below Cross County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Cross County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cross County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Cross County?
How does Cross County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Cross County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cross 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.