Calhoun County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Calhoun County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.3, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Calhoun County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $213K in expected annual loss and about 1.13 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $412K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $20K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Calhoun County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Calhoun County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Calhoun County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.13 / yr | $213K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $412K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 19.58 / yr | $162K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $385K |
| Drought | Very Low | 19.81 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.37 / yr | $211K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 64.61 / yr | $68K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.87 / yr | $34K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $21 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.07 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.58 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $17K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Calhoun County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Hurricane (3), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Calhoun County?
Calhoun County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Calhoun County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $213K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $412K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $20K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Calhoun County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Calhoun County ranks #75 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Calhoun County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Calhoun County since 1973, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Calhoun County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.