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

Drew County Disaster Risk

Drew County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Drew County, Arkansas

Drew remains below national average

Drew County's composite risk of 35.15 places it in the Very Low category, performing better than the national average across most hazard types. All individual risks remain manageable, with tornado at 63.14 being the highest exposure.

Low-risk county for Arkansas

Drew's 35.15 score falls well below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, positioning it among the state's safest counties. Only Dallas (10.08) and Desha (32.89) rank notably lower in composite risk.

Similar to Desha, safer than others

Drew County at 35.15 closely mirrors neighboring Desha County at 32.89, both occupying Arkansas's lowest-risk tier. Both benefit from minimal wildfire exposure and relatively low flood threats compared to northern counties.

Tornado and earthquake are dual concerns

Drew County faces tornado risk at 63.14 and earthquake risk at 83.75 as its primary hazards, each moderately elevated by state standards. Hurricane risk at 56.57 adds a tertiary tropical threat from the Gulf.

Wind and earthquake coverage recommended

Drew residents should add wind and hail riders to homeowners policies for tornado protection, and consider earthquake insurance given the county's above-average seismic exposure. Flood insurance is advisable if your property lies near waterways or in designated flood zones.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Drew County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    57th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Drew County

Risk Verdict

Drew County's overall natural disaster score at the 35th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Drew County can use the 35th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Drew County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (57th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile), flood (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 84th percentile nationally puts Drew County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Drew County's tornado risk at the 63th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Drew County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Drew County's composite risk score sits 20.4 points below the Arkansas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Drew 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 Drew County, AR?
Drew County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Drew County?
Drew County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (84th percentile), tornado (63th percentile), hurricane (57th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile), flooding (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 84th 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 Drew County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Drew County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Drew County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Drew County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Drew County's earthquake risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Drew County is at the 19th 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 Drew County a safe place to live?
Drew County's composite risk score of 35th 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 84th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.