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

Stone County Disaster Risk

Stone County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

50th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% 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 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stone County, Arkansas

Stone County has low disaster risk

Stone County's composite risk score of 49.87 sits below the national average, making it one of America's safer counties for natural disasters. The county's relatively low-risk designation reflects more manageable hazard exposure compared to most U.S. areas. This favorable positioning provides residents with reduced overall natural disaster vulnerability.

Among Arkansas's safest counties

Stone County scores 49.87, below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the state's lowest-risk areas. The county ranks favorably compared to most of Arkansas, with substantially lower composite hazard exposure. This safer positioning reflects the county's geographic and climatic characteristics.

Safest county in its region

Stone County's risk score of 49.87 is lower than all immediate neighbors, including Van Buren County (50.57) and Sharp County (68.07). The county benefits from somewhat reduced wildfire exposure and moderate tornado risk compared to surrounding areas. Its geographic position in the Ozark region contributes to this comparative safety advantage.

Tornadoes and wildfires merit attention

Tornado risk in Stone County scores 75.03, representing the primary severe weather hazard despite being below-average nationally. Wildfire risk reaches 68.10, creating secondary exposure concerns in dry seasons. Earthquake risk of 73.22 is moderate but noteworthy for structural preparedness.

Maintain standard protective measures

Stone County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with solid windstorm and hail coverage for the 75.03 tornado risk—standard policies typically provide this. Consider wildfire insurance or endorsements if your property is near forested areas, given the 68.10 wildfire risk. A basic tornado safety plan and weather alert system will adequately address the county's primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stone County

Risk Verdict

Stone County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 50th percentile across all U.S. counties. At the 50th percentile, Stone County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Stone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (68th percentile), flood (47th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 75th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Stone County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Stone County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 73th percentile nationally means Stone County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Stone County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Stone County is 5.6 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Stone 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 Stone County, AR?
Stone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Stone County?
Stone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (75th percentile), earthquake (73th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 75th 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 Stone County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Stone County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stone County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Stone County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Stone County's tornado risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stone County is at the 47th 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 Stone County a safe place to live?
Stone County's composite risk score of 50th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Franklin County

Arkansas

-0.5

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Van Buren County

Arkansas

+0.7

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Fulton County

Arkansas

+0.8

Relatively Low

51th 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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