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

Howard County Disaster Risk

Howard County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% 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 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Howard County, Arkansas

Howard County carries below-average national risk

With a composite risk score of 48.51, Howard County ranks as Relatively Low nationally, with hazard exposure lower than most U.S. counties. This favorable position reflects particularly low tornado and earthquake risks compared to regional peers.

Safer than most Arkansas counties

Howard County's score of 48.51 falls well below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the safer half of state counties. This advantage suggests meaningfully reduced multi-hazard exposure compared to typical Arkansas locations.

Among the region's safest counties

Howard County's score of 48.51 ranks it safer than Grant County (15.71) is safer, and well below Garland County (89.31) and Independence County (69.08). Only Grant County in the immediate region maintains substantially lower risk.

Hurricane and flood risks lead exposure

Hurricane risk at 56.90 represents Howard County's highest hazard score, while flood risk at 52.13 runs a close second—both moderate concerns requiring baseline preparedness. Tornado risk at 53.91 remains below state averages, providing relative safety from that hazard.

Standard coverage with flood consideration needed

Howard County's moderate profile means standard homeowner's insurance suffices for most residents, though those in designated flood zones should strongly consider separate flood coverage. Regular roof and foundation inspections will help you identify vulnerabilities before severe weather strikes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Howard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Howard County

Risk Verdict

Howard County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Howard County residents can take confidence from a 49th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Howard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), flood (52th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Howard County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Howard County's hurricane risk at the 57th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Howard County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Arkansas county average exceeds Howard County's score by 7.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Howard 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 Howard County, AR?
Howard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Howard County?
Howard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (63th percentile), hurricane (57th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 63th 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 Howard County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Howard County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Howard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Howard County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Howard County's earthquake risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Howard County is at the 52th 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 Howard County a safe place to live?
Howard County's composite risk score of 49th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Logan County

Arkansas

-0.3

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Marion County

Arkansas

-0.5

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Franklin County

Arkansas

+0.9

Relatively Low

49th 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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