Jackson County Disaster Risk
Jackson County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
68th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#26
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Arkansas
Jackson's tornado and earthquake risks soar
Jackson County's composite risk score of 67.84 rates as Relatively Low nationally, but this masks dangerous concentration in two hazards: tornado risk at 89.63 and earthquake risk at 91.60. Both scores significantly exceed the state average of 55.51.
Top 10 riskiest Arkansas counties
Jackson County ranks among Arkansas's highest-risk counties, primarily driven by extreme tornado and earthquake exposure. Only a handful of Arkansas counties face comparable combined tornado and seismic threats.
Tornado risk dwarfs regional peers
Jackson's tornado score of 89.63 far exceeds Izard County's 59.61 and Lawrence County's 83.46. Its earthquake risk of 91.60 matches Jefferson County's dangerous exposure, making Jackson one of the state's seismic hotspots.
Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate
Jackson's tornado risk score of 89.63 represents the county's most acute hazard—well above the state average. Earthquake risk at 91.60 ranks second and alone would classify most counties as high-risk.
Earthquake and storm coverage essential
Jackson County residents absolutely need earthquake insurance given the 91.60 risk score—standard policies exclude it entirely. Add windstorm coverage to your homeowners policy to protect against tornado damage and hail.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jackson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jackson County
Risk Verdict
Jackson County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 68th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Jackson County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (54th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), flood (44th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 92th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Jackson 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, Jackson County's tornado risk at the 90th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Jackson 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
A composite score 12.3 points above the Arkansas state average puts Jackson County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Jackson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Jackson County?
How does Jackson County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Jackson County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jackson County higher risk than average?
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.