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

Izard County Disaster Risk

Izard County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Izard County, Arkansas

Izard ranks below national average

Izard County's composite risk score of 53.09 places it in the Relatively Low category, sitting slightly below Arkansas's state average of 55.51. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than the typical American county, though certain hazards warrant attention.

Mid-range risk among Arkansas counties

Izard County ranks in the middle tier of Arkansas's 75 counties for overall disaster risk. While safer than high-risk counties like Jefferson and Jackson, it experiences notably higher earthquake and wildfire risks than some of its western neighbors.

Safer than Jackson, riskier than Lafayette

Izard's 53.09 score sits between Lafayette County's very low 33.24 and Jackson County's 67.84. Johnson County to the west shares similar overall risk at 58.14, but Izard's earthquake exposure of 80.18 exceeds most regional peers.

Earthquakes and wildfires top the list

Izard residents face an earthquake risk score of 80.18, the county's highest hazard exposure, followed by wildfire risk at 62.05. Tornado risk at 59.61 also exceeds the state average, making severe weather preparedness essential year-round.

Secure earthquake and wildfire coverage

Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquake or wildfire damage—you need separate policies. Izard homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 80.18 risk score and consider wildfire coverage if you're near forested areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Izard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Izard County

Risk Verdict

Izard County's FEMA risk score places it at the 53th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Izard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (60th percentile), flood (48th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 80th percentile nationally, Izard County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. The county's wildfire risk at the 62th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Earthquake insurance in Izard County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

Izard County sits within 2.4 composite points of the Arkansas state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Izard 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 Izard County, AR?
Izard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Izard County?
Izard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (80th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 80th 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 Izard County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Izard County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Izard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Izard County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Izard County's earthquake risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Izard County is at the 48th 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 Izard County a safe place to live?
Izard County's composite risk score of 53th 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 80th 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.