Searcy County Disaster Risk

Searcy County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

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 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Searcy County

Risk Verdict

Searcy County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 28th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Searcy County, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 57th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (56th), flood (21th), hurricane (17th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Searcy County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Searcy County is notably safer than the average county in Arkansas. Its composite risk score is 27.8 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Searcy County, AR?
Searcy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Searcy County?
Searcy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (68th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 68th 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 Searcy County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Searcy County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Searcy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Searcy County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Searcy County's wildfire risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Searcy 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 Searcy County a safe place to live?
Searcy County's composite risk score of 28th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.