Faulkner County Disaster Risk
Faulkner County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
86th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 94% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Faulkner County, Arkansas
Faulkner ranks among riskiest nationally
Faulkner County's composite risk of 86.16 places it in the Relatively Moderate category, above the national average and among the riskiest U.S. counties overall. Extreme tornado risk at 97.07 and high flood risk at 77.00 drive this elevated profile.
Highest risk county in Arkansas
Faulkner's 86.16 composite risk is the highest in Arkansas, far exceeding the state average of 55.51. The county's exceptional tornado exposure and significant flood and wildfire threats make it the state's most hazardous environment.
Far riskier than Franklin County
Faulkner's 86.16 score dramatically exceeds neighboring Franklin County's 49.40—a 37-point gap driven primarily by tornado risk (97.07 vs. 64.82) and wildfire exposure (77.77 vs. 82.54). Faulkner faces substantially greater multi-hazard exposure.
Tornado threat is extreme here
Faulkner County's tornado risk of 97.07 is the highest in Arkansas, placing residents in a severe spring storm corridor with recurring tornado activity. Flood risk at 77.00 and wildfire risk at 77.77 compound the hazard picture, creating a genuinely dangerous environment.
Comprehensive protection is essential
Faulkner residents must obtain flood insurance, comprehensive wind coverage for tornadoes, and consider wildfire protection given the county's multi-hazard exposure. Invest in a safe room or basement shelter for tornado protection, and maintain detailed home inventory for insurance claims.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Faulkner County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Faulkner County
Risk Verdict
Faulkner County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 86th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Faulkner County.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Faulkner County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (78th percentile), flood (77th percentile), hurricane (53th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Faulkner County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 97th percentile nationally. In Faulkner County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Faulkner County at the 94th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Faulkner County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Faulkner County households.
Regional Context
Faulkner County falls 30.7 points above Arkansas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Faulkner County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Faulkner County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Faulkner County?
How does Faulkner County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Faulkner County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Faulkner 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.