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

Independence County Disaster Risk

Independence County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Independence County, Arkansas

Independence County's composite risk exceeds national norm

Independence County's composite risk score of 69.08 places it above the national average with a Relatively Low rating, reflecting substantial exposure to tornadoes (89.19), earthquakes (89.98), and wildfires (70.48). This multi-hazard profile demands serious resident preparedness.

Above-average risk compared to Arkansas

At 69.08, Independence County's score significantly exceeds Arkansas's state average of 55.51, ranking it among the riskier counties statewide. This elevated position reflects particularly high tornado and earthquake vulnerability.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Independence County's score of 69.08 exceeds regional peers like Howard County (48.51), Hot Spring County (55.53), and Hempstead County (52.07), but falls short of Garland County's exceptional risk (89.31). Only Greene County (80.18) and Garland approach its hazard exposure.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate hazard profile

Earthquake risk at 89.98 represents Independence County's primary concern, while tornado risk at 89.19 runs nearly parallel—together creating a formidable structural threat. Wildfire risk at 70.48 adds a third significant hazard requiring community-level preparation.

Earthquake and wind protection are essential

Independence County residents must secure dedicated earthquake insurance alongside comprehensive wind and hail coverage—both hazards pose severe structural threats. Have a structural engineer assess your home's foundation and connections, and ensure you maintain adequate emergency supplies for both seismic and tornado events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Independence County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    70th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Independence County

Risk Verdict

Independence County ranks at the 69th 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 Independence County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (70th percentile), flood (56th percentile), hurricane (51th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Independence County ranks at the 90th 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. Tornado at the 89th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Independence County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Independence 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

Compared to other Arkansas counties, Independence County runs 13.6 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Independence 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 Independence County, AR?
Independence County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Independence County?
Independence County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (89th percentile), wildfire (70th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), hurricane (51th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 90th 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 Independence County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Independence County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Independence County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Independence County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Independence County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Independence County is at the 56th 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.
Why is Independence County higher risk than average?
Independence County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and flooding and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sharp County

Arkansas

-1.0

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Lawrence County

Arkansas

-1.2

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Jackson County

Arkansas

-1.2

Relatively Low

68th 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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