Chicot County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Chicot County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.8, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Chicot County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 43.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $951K in expected annual loss and about 16.58 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $878K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $131K in expected annual loss and about 0.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chicot County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Chicot County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Chicot County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 16.58 / yr | $951K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $878K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $131K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $576K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $241K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.05 / yr | $393K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $799K |
| Hail | Low | 3.21 / yr | $166K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.43 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $526K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $146 |
| Lightning | Low | 63.39 / yr | $58K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Chicot County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chicot County?
Chicot County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chicot County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $951K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $878K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $131K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chicot County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Chicot County ranks #53 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chicot County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Chicot County since 1973, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Chicot County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.