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

Pope County Disaster Risk

Pope County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pope County, Arkansas

Pope County faces above-average risk

Pope County's composite risk score of 77.83 significantly exceeds the national average, landing it in the Relatively Low category overall—though the higher score reflects real exposure. Multiple hazard types here cluster above typical U.S. levels.

Middle of the pack in Arkansas

At 77.83, Pope County ranks above Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the riskier half of the state's counties. This reflects the county's geographical position in a zone prone to multiple overlapping hazards.

Higher risk than most neighbors

Pope County's score (77.83) exceeds nearby Polk County (46.12) and Prairie County (41.38), but sits below Saline County (77.64). You face more significant disaster exposure than most western Arkansas neighbors.

Tornadoes and earthquakes lead

Tornado risk in Pope County reaches 94.62—among the highest in the state—while earthquake risk (84.13) is also elevated. Flood risk (75.29) rounds out your top three concerns, creating a diverse hazard portfolio that demands preparation.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy

Secure comprehensive homeowners insurance covering both tornadoes and earthquakes, and ensure your policy includes wind and hail damage. Develop a tornado shelter plan immediately—a basement or interior room away from windows—and maintain flood insurance if you're in a mapped flood zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pope County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pope County

Risk Verdict

At the 78th percentile nationally, Pope County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Pope County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Pope County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Pope County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 95th percentile nationally. In Pope 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. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 84th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Pope County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Pope County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Pope County households.

Regional Context

Pope County falls 22.3 points above Arkansas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Pope 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 Pope County, AR?
Pope County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Pope County?
Pope County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Pope County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Pope County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pope County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Pope County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pope County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pope County is at the 75th 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.
Why is Pope County higher risk than average?
Pope County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Saline County

Arkansas

-0.2

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Greene County

Arkansas

+2.4

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Lonoke County

Arkansas

-2.7

Relatively Low

75th 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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