Johnson County Disaster Risk
Johnson County, Arkansas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
58th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 75 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
62th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Johnson County, Arkansas
Johnson stays below state average
Johnson County's composite risk score of 58.14 rates as Relatively Low and sits just slightly above Arkansas's state average of 55.51. The county's risk profile is more balanced than neighbors, with no single hazard reaching extreme levels.
Mid-tier risk among Arkansas counties
Johnson County ranks in the middle range of Arkansas's 75 counties for overall disaster vulnerability. While it experiences elevated wildfire and tornado risks, it avoids the extreme earthquake exposure that plagues eastern counties.
Similar to Izard, safer than Jefferson
Johnson's 58.14 score closely matches Izard County's 53.09, while both rank well below Jackson County's 67.84 and far below Jefferson's dangerous 85.18. The two counties share comparable tornado and earthquake profiles across the region.
Wildfire and tornado risks lead
Johnson County faces wildfire risk at 67.40—among the state's highest—and tornado risk at 78.91. These two hazards drive the county's overall moderate risk profile.
Prioritize wildfire and storm coverage
Wildfire insurance is essential for Johnson County homeowners given the 67.40 risk score, especially if you live near forested areas. Add windstorm coverage to address the 78.91 tornado risk that exceeds most state averages.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Johnson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Johnson County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Johnson County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 58th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Johnson County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Johnson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (67th percentile), flood (62th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 79th percentile nationally, Johnson County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 69th percentile nationally means Johnson County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Johnson County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Johnson County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Arkansas county average, with a 2.6-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Johnson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Johnson County, AR?
What types of natural hazards affect Johnson County?
How does Johnson County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Is Johnson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Johnson 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.