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

Dallas County Disaster Risk

Dallas County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dallas County, Arkansas

Dallas is Arkansas's safest county

Dallas County's composite risk score of just 10.08 is exceptionally low—among the safest counties in the entire United States. This Very Low risk rating reflects minimal hazard exposure across all major disaster categories.

Dramatically safer than state average

Dallas County's 10.08 score is less than one-fifth of Arkansas's state average of 55.51, making it by far the state's lowest-risk county. No other Arkansas county comes close to Dallas's favorable risk profile.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Dallas County's 10.08 score dwarfs those of nearby counties like Drew (35.15) and Desha (32.89), each of which face substantially higher composite risks. Dallas County residents enjoy notably better protection across nearly all hazard categories.

Tornado risk is mild and manageable

Even Dallas County's highest hazard—tornado risk at 32.76—falls well below typical U.S. county levels. Other risks including earthquake, flood, and wildfire remain minimal, creating a uniquely safe environment.

Standard coverage is adequate

Dallas County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without major additional riders, as natural disaster risks are minimal. Maintain basic home maintenance, store emergency supplies, and keep insurance current as routine precautions.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dallas County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    33th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Dallas County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Dallas County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 10th percentile. Dallas County's 10th 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 Dallas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (33th percentile), flood (18th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 67th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Dallas 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. Hurricane at the 45th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Dallas County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Dallas 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

Dallas County is 45.4 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Dallas 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 Dallas County, AR?
Dallas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Dallas County?
Dallas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (67th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 67th 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 Dallas County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Dallas County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Dallas County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Dallas County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Dallas County's earthquake risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Dallas County is at the 18th 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 Dallas County a safe place to live?
Dallas County's composite risk score of 10th 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 67th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cleveland County

Arkansas

-0.6

Very Low

9th percentile

Grant County

Arkansas

+5.6

Very Low

16th percentile

Calhoun County

Arkansas

-7.8

Very Low

2th 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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