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

Union County Disaster Risk

Union County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% 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 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Union County, Arkansas

Union County has low disaster risk

Union County's composite risk score of 53.88 sits just below the national average, earning a relatively low-risk designation. The county experiences modest natural disaster exposure across most hazard types. Compared to typical American counties, Union County residents face below-average total disaster vulnerability.

Below-average risk in Arkansas

Union County scores 53.88, marginally below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it in the safer half of state counties. The county ranks favorably compared to most Arkansas areas with more temperate hazard exposure. This positioning reflects relatively balanced risk across multiple disaster types.

Comparable to nearby southwestern counties

Union County's score of 53.88 is similar to Van Buren County (50.57) but lower than nearby Sevier County (64.95). The county faces moderate tornado and earthquake risks consistent with southwestern Arkansas patterns. Regional disaster vulnerability is relatively consistent across this portion of the state.

Tornadoes and earthquakes drive exposure

Tornado risk in Union County scores 69.75, creating the primary severe weather threat residents face. Earthquake risk of 77.13 presents meaningful structural vulnerability, particularly for older buildings. Flood risk is moderate at 51.21, reflecting typical regional precipitation and drainage patterns.

Balance tornado and earthquake planning

Union County homeowners should ensure coverage includes windstorm and hail protection given the 69.75 tornado risk. Earthquake insurance deserves evaluation at 77.13 risk—it's often affordable as a homeowners policy add-on. A family tornado safety plan addressing your home's shelter-in-place capabilities will 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 Union County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    59th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Union County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 54th, Union County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Union County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (59th percentile), flood (51th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 77th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Union County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Union County's tornado risk at the 70th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Union County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Union County tracks the Arkansas county average closely, sitting 1.6 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Arkansas.

Is your household prepared for Union 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 Union County, AR?
Union County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Union County?
Union County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (77th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 77th 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 Union County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Union County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Union County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Union County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Union County's earthquake risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Union County is at the 51th 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 Union County a safe place to live?
Union County's composite risk score of 54th 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 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ashley County

Arkansas

+0.0

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Izard County

Arkansas

-0.8

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Hot Spring County

Arkansas

+1.7

Relatively Low

56th 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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