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

Newton County Disaster Risk

Newton County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#71

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Newton County, Arkansas

Newton County's exceptionally low national risk

Newton County posts the lowest composite risk score in this analysis at 18.45, placing it in the Very Low category and significantly below the national average. This exceptional position reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Arkansas's most resilient county

Newton County's 18.45 score represents the lowest risk in Arkansas, a striking 67% below the state average of 55.51. This ranking makes Newton County one of the most protected counties in the state from natural disaster exposure.

Significantly safer than regional peers

Newton County's 18.45 score places it well below Montgomery County (30.69), Perry County (28.05), and Pike County (26.56). The county's geographic position in the Ozark region contributes to its notably lower risk profile compared to surrounding counties.

Tornado and wildfire pose modest risks

Tornado risk at 51.11 and wildfire risk at 50.99 represent Newton County's highest hazard exposures, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Earthquake (38.23), flood (21.31), and hurricane (17.69) risks all fall well below national averages.

Standard coverage largely sufficient here

Newton County's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, rural properties should still verify tornado and wildfire coverage, and any flood-prone properties should add dedicated flood insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Newton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Newton County

Risk Verdict

Newton County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 18th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Newton County residents can take confidence from a 18th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Newton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), flood (21th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Newton County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 51th percentile nationally. In Newton County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 51th percentile nationally means Newton County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Newton County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Newton County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Arkansas county average, Newton County's composite score runs 37.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Newton 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 Newton County, AR?
Newton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Newton County?
Newton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (51th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 51th 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 Newton County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Newton County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Newton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Newton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Newton County's tornado risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Newton County is at the 21th 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 Newton County a safe place to live?
Newton County's composite risk score of 18th 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 tornado at the 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grant County

Arkansas

-2.7

Very Low

16th percentile

Pike County

Arkansas

+8.1

Very Low

27th percentile

Dallas County

Arkansas

-8.4

Very Low

10th 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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