riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Johnson County

Risk Verdict

Johnson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 58th 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

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Johnson County, scoring in the 79th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 69th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (67th), flood (62th), hurricane (36th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Johnson County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Johnson County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Arkansas. Its composite risk score is within 2.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Arkansas as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Johnson County, AR?
Johnson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Johnson County?
Johnson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), earthquake (69th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Johnson County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Johnson County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Johnson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Johnson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Johnson County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Johnson County is at the 62th 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 Johnson County higher risk than average?
Johnson County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (79th percentile), along with earthquake and wildfire and flooding 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

Yell County

Arkansas

+0.8

Relatively Low

59th percentile

Conway County

Arkansas

-1.6

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Hot Spring County

Arkansas

-2.6

Relatively Low

56th 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.

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