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

Fulton County Disaster Risk

Fulton County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fulton County, Arkansas

Fulton County's modest national risk profile

With a composite risk score of 50.67, Fulton County sits below the national average for natural disaster risk. This Relatively Low rating suggests the county faces fewer compound hazards than many U.S. counties, though residents should still prepare for tornado and earthquake events.

Better positioned than most Arkansas counties

Fulton County's risk score of 50.67 is notably lower than Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the safer half of the state's 75 counties. This advantage stems from comparatively lower flood and hurricane exposure.

Safest in its regional peer group

Among neighboring counties, Fulton ranks as one of the lower-risk areas, with Grant County (15.71) being the only county in the region with substantially better hazard scores. Compared to Garland County (89.31) and Independence County (69.08), Fulton residents face significantly reduced overall risk.

Earthquakes and tornadoes pose primary threats

Earthquake risk scores highest at 76.34, followed by tornados at 64.76—both well above national averages for a county this size. Flood and wildfire risks remain moderate at 45.64 and 56.04 respectively, but should not be overlooked during severe weather seasons.

Prioritize earthquake and storm coverage

Given Fulton County's elevated earthquake and tornado scores, ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind and hail damage, and strongly consider separate earthquake insurance—a coverage gap many county residents overlook. Regular roof inspections and a reinforced foundation can significantly reduce losses from these hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fulton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fulton County

Risk Verdict

Fulton County ranks at the 51th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Fulton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), flood (46th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Fulton County ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Fulton County's tornado risk at the 65th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Fulton County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 4.8 points from the Arkansas average, making Fulton County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Fulton 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 Fulton County, AR?
Fulton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th 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 Fulton County?
Fulton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (76th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 76th 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 Fulton County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Fulton County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fulton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Fulton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Fulton County's earthquake risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fulton County is at the 46th 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 Fulton County a safe place to live?
Fulton County's composite risk score of 51th 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 76th 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.