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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Arkansas

Grant County ranks among safest in nation

With a composite risk score of just 15.71, Grant County's Very Low rating places it in the safest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. This remarkably low score reflects minimal vulnerability to floods, wildfires, and hurricanes.

Arkansas's lowest-risk county by far

Grant County's score of 15.71 is less than one-third of Arkansas's state average of 55.51, making it the state's safest county by a substantial margin. This advantage holds across nearly every hazard category.

Surrounded by higher-risk peers

Grant County's exceptional safety stands out even among its regional neighbors, with only Fulton County (50.67) approaching its low-risk profile. Hot Spring County (55.53) and Hempstead County (52.07) carry roughly triple Grant's overall hazard score.

Tornado and earthquake pose modest threats

Tornado risk at 54.42 and earthquake risk at 66.13 represent Grant County's primary hazards, yet both remain below state averages for most counties. Flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks all score in the low-to-moderate range, creating a genuinely favorable disaster risk environment.

Standard homeowner coverage suffices for Grant

Grant County's low-risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection, though tornado-prone residents should still ensure wind coverage is included. A basic emergency kit and weather radio represent the minimal preparations needed here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    66th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Grant County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 16th percentile. Even at the 16th percentile, Grant County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flood (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 66th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Grant 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. The county's tornado risk at the 54th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For Grant 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

Grant County is 39.8 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, AR?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (66th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flooding (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 66th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grant County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Grant County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Grant County's earthquake risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 17th 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 Grant County a safe place to live?
Grant County's composite risk score of 16th 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 66th 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.