Jefferson County Disaster Risk
Jefferson County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
85th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Arkansas
Jefferson ranks as state's riskiest county
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 85.18 earns a Relatively Moderate rating—the highest in Arkansas and well above the state average of 55.51. This score reflects dangerous exposure across nearly every natural hazard category.
Arkansas's most disaster-prone county
Jefferson County faces the greatest combined natural disaster risk of any Arkansas county. Its scores exceed state averages in flood (78.21), tornado (92.53), earthquake (95.58), and hurricane (65.29) risk.
Dramatically higher risks than neighbors
Jefferson's 85.18 composite score towers above Jackson County's 67.84 and Lawrence County's 67.88. The county's flood risk of 78.21 is nearly four times Lafayette County's 16.86, reflecting geographic and structural vulnerability.
Earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods threaten
Jefferson residents face earthquake risk at 95.58—the state's highest—combined with tornado risk at 92.53 and flood risk at 78.21. These three hazards alone make Jefferson the state's most comprehensively threatened county.
Layer all major disaster coverage
Jefferson homeowners need earthquake insurance (95.58 risk), flood insurance through NFIP (78.21 risk), and windstorm riders for tornado protection (92.53 risk). Don't rely on standard homeowners policies—these three separate coverages are critical.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jefferson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jefferson County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 85th percentile, Jefferson County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Jefferson County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (78th percentile), hurricane (65th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 96th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Jefferson County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Tornado at the 93th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Jefferson County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Jefferson County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
At 29.7 points above the Arkansas state average, Jefferson County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Arkansas county.
Is your household prepared for Jefferson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Jefferson County?
How does Jefferson County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Jefferson County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jefferson 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.