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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Searcy County, Arkansas

Searcy County is exceptionally safe

Searcy County's composite risk score of 27.74 places it among America's safest counties, with a Very Low risk rating. You live in a natural disaster refuge with minimal exposure to major hazards.

One of Arkansas's safest

At 27.74, Searcy County sits nearly 28 points below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, ranking among the state's least-threatened counties. This exceptional safety creates real advantages in insurance costs and peace of mind.

Tied for safest in region

Searcy County (27.74) ranks alongside Scott County (26.84) as the region's safest, both well ahead of Polk County (46.12). Your northern Arkansas location in mountainous terrain provides natural protection that lower-elevation counties don't enjoy.

Wildfire and earthquake minor

Wildfire risk (67.97) is Searcy County's highest metric, though still moderate in national terms, while earthquake risk (56.65) is manageable. Flood risk (20.99) is exceptionally low, and hurricane risk (17.23) is minimal—your remoteness from coasts provides real safety.

Maintenance beats preparation

Your main task is preventive: maintain defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire risk, and secure heavy furniture to walls as a basic earthquake precaution. Standard homeowners insurance is sufficient; your exceptional risk profile means you can skip specialized earthquake or flood policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Searcy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Searcy County

Risk Verdict

Searcy County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 28th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 28th percentile nationally, Searcy County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Searcy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (56th percentile), flood (21th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Searcy County's primary hazard at the 68th percentile nationally. For Searcy County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 57th percentile nationally means Searcy County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Searcy County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Arkansas county average, Searcy County's composite score runs 27.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Searcy 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 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Perry County

Arkansas

+0.3

Very Low

28th percentile

Scott County

Arkansas

-0.9

Very Low

27th percentile

Pike County

Arkansas

-1.2

Very Low

27th 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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