riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% 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 54% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Washington County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 94th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (90th), earthquake (84th), hurricane (54th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Washington County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire 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

Washington County is significantly riskier than the average county in Arkansas. Its composite risk score is 36.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, AR?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), wildfire (94th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), hurricane (54th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Arkansas average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Washington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Washington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Washington County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 90th 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 Washington County higher risk than average?
Washington County's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Craighead County

Arkansas

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Garland County

Arkansas

-3.0

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Mississippi County

Arkansas

-3.1

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

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.

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