riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Arkansas

Lincoln's low score hides earthquake risk

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 29.77 rates as Very Low and ranks among Arkansas's safest counties overall, sitting well below the state average of 55.51. However, the county's earthquake risk of 79.45 deserves specific attention despite the favorable composite score.

Second-safest county statewide

Lincoln County ranks second only to Lafayette County for overall natural disaster safety in Arkansas. The county excels in flood protection (24.36) and wildfire avoidance (16.73), while maintaining reasonable tornado preparedness.

Among the state's safest areas

Lincoln's 29.77 score nearly matches Lafayette County's 33.24, and both counties offer dramatically superior safety compared to Jackson County's 67.84 or Jefferson County's 85.18. Lincoln benefits from geography that shields it from most major hazard categories.

Earthquake risk drives preparedness needs

Lincoln County's earthquake risk of 79.45 represents its most significant hazard exposure despite the county's very low overall composite score. Hurricane risk at 57.66 ranks second, though still manageable.

Earthquake coverage essential here

Lincoln County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance given the 79.45 risk score, even though the county ranks among Arkansas's safest overall. Standard homeowners policies provide adequate protection for the county's minimal flood and wildfire risks.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lincoln County ranks at the 30th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Lincoln County's 30th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), flood (24th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 79th percentile nationally, Lincoln County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Lincoln County's hurricane risk at the 58th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Lincoln County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

At 25.7 points below the Arkansas state average, Lincoln County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lincoln County, AR?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (79th percentile), hurricane (58th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lincoln County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Lincoln County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Lincoln County's earthquake risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lincoln County is at the 24th 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.
Is Lincoln County a safe place to live?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 30th percentile is below the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.