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

Little River County Disaster Risk

Little River County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

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

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Little River County, Arkansas

Little River's Risk Profile

With a composite risk score of 44.05, Little River County ranks as Relatively Low—about 20% safer than the U.S. average. The county's earthquake risk stands at 64.03, its highest hazard, while tornado risk at 55.22 remains near the national median.

Among Arkansas Counties

Little River's score of 44.05 sits well below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the lower-risk counties in the state. The county avoids the extreme flood and tornado pressures facing eastern and central Arkansas regions.

Compared to Nearby Counties

Little River (44.05) is safer than Marion County (47.96) and Madison County (45.07), its western neighbors. All three counties maintain relatively low composite risk, but Little River's flood score of 44.12 is notably lower than both neighbors.

What Threatens Little River Most

Earthquakes (64.03) and tornadoes (55.22) present the county's primary hazards, though neither reaches critical levels. Flood risk at 44.12 remains manageable, giving residents more breathing room than counties in the Mississippi Delta region.

Safeguard Your Property

Homeowners should prioritize earthquake coverage in their policies, as the county's seismic risk exceeds the national average. A solid all-hazard umbrella policy protects against the tornado and flood exposure residents face.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Little River County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    44th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Little River County

Risk Verdict

Little River County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 44th percentile across all U.S. counties. Little River County residents can take confidence from a 44th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Little River County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (44th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Little River County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 55th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Little River County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Little River County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Little River County is 11.5 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Little River 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 Little River County, AR?
Little River County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Little River County?
Little River County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (64th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), flooding (44th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 64th 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 Little River County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Little River County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Little River County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Little River County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Little River County's earthquake risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Little River 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.
Is Little River County a safe place to live?
Little River County's composite risk score of 44th 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 64th 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.