riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

Jackson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Jackson County, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (54th), wildfire (44th), flood (44th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Jackson County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jackson County is significantly riskier than the average county in Arkansas. Its composite risk score is 12.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Jackson County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, AR?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (92th percentile), tornado (90th percentile), hurricane (54th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), flooding (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 92th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jackson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Jackson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Jackson County's earthquake risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jackson County is at the 44th 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 Jackson County higher risk than average?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (92th percentile), along with tornado 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

Lawrence County

Arkansas

+0.0

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Sharp County

Arkansas

+0.2

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Randolph County

Arkansas

-0.9

Relatively Low

67th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

Explore more data for Jackson County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score