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

Ouachita County Disaster Risk

Ouachita County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ouachita County, Arkansas

Ouachita County faces above-average national risks

Ouachita County scores 51.21, placing it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average for composite risk. This elevation reflects notably higher exposure to certain natural hazards, particularly earthquakes and tornadoes.

Mid-range risk within Arkansas

At 51.21, Ouachita County sits just below Arkansas's average of 55.51, positioning it roughly in the middle of state risk rankings. The county's profile reflects moderate exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly earthquake and tornado threats.

Higher risk than surrounding counties

Ouachita County's 51.21 score significantly exceeds nearby Nevada County (30.57), Perry County (28.05), and Pike County (26.56). This difference makes Ouachita a notable risk outlier within its region, driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure.

Tornadoes and earthquakes demand attention

Ouachita County faces substantial tornado risk at 70.07 and extreme earthquake risk at 79.87, making these the county's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood risk (53.05) and hurricane risk (56.15) also exceed state averages, though tornado and earthquake threats dominate the profile.

Comprehensive coverage essential here

Ouachita County residents should maintain robust tornado coverage and strongly consider earthquake insurance given the county's 79.87 earthquake risk score. Flood and hurricane insurance should also be reviewed to ensure complete protection across all major hazard types.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ouachita County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ouachita County

Risk Verdict

Ouachita County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Ouachita County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Ouachita County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (56th percentile), flood (53th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Ouachita County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Ouachita County's tornado risk at the 70th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Ouachita County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

At just 4.3 composite points from the Arkansas average, Ouachita County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Ouachita 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 Ouachita County, AR?
Ouachita County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th 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 Ouachita County?
Ouachita County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 80th 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 Ouachita County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Ouachita County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ouachita County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Ouachita County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Ouachita County's earthquake risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ouachita County is at the 53th 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 Ouachita County a safe place to live?
Ouachita County's composite risk score of 51th 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 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Fulton County

Arkansas

-0.5

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Van Buren County

Arkansas

-0.6

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Hempstead County

Arkansas

+0.9

Relatively Low

52th 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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