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

Montgomery County Disaster Risk

Montgomery County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

31th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Montgomery County, Arkansas

Montgomery County's low national risk profile

Montgomery County scores 30.69 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and in the Very Low risk category. This score reflects relatively modest exposure to major natural hazards compared to counties across the United States.

Safest counties in Arkansas

At 30.69, Montgomery County ranks among Arkansas's lowest-risk counties, scoring 45% below the state average of 55.51. This position makes it one of the more resilient counties in the state when it comes to natural disaster exposure.

Lower risk than surrounding areas

Montgomery County's risk score of 30.69 compares favorably to nearby Perry County (28.05) and Newton County (18.45), though it sits slightly higher than Pike County (26.56). Across this region, all counties maintain very low overall risk levels.

Wildfire and tornado watch areas

Wildfire risk at 61.45 and tornado risk at 49.71 represent Montgomery County's primary natural hazard concerns, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flood risk (48.66) and earthquake risk (46.22) round out the county's hazard profile with relatively lower exposure.

Cover your bases with comprehensive insurance

While Montgomery County's overall risk is very low, standard homeowners insurance should be supplemented with wildfire and flood coverage given local exposure levels. Renters and business owners should also verify their policies include adequate protection for tornado and weather-related damages.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Montgomery County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    61th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    49th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Montgomery County

Risk Verdict

Montgomery County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 31th percentile nationally. At the 31th percentile, Montgomery County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Montgomery County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 61th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Montgomery County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 50th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Montgomery County residents.

Regional Context

Montgomery County falls 24.8 points below Arkansas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, AR?
Montgomery County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 31th 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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (61th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 61th 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 Montgomery County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Montgomery County's composite risk percentile is 31th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Montgomery County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Montgomery County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Montgomery County's wildfire risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Montgomery County is at the 49th 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 Montgomery County a safe place to live?
Montgomery County's composite risk score of 31th 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 wildfire at the 61th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bradley County

Arkansas

+0.1

Very Low

31th percentile

Nevada County

Arkansas

-0.1

Very Low

31th percentile

Lincoln County

Arkansas

-0.9

Very Low

30th percentile

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.

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