Clark County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Clark County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.1, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clark County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 41.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 64.74 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $746K in expected annual loss and about 0.89 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $775K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark County has a 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: Clark County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Clark County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 64.74 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.89 / yr | $746K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $775K |
| Hail | Low | 4.75 / yr | $497K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.47 / yr | $652K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.46 / yr | $651K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $62K |
| Drought | Low | 18.90 / yr | $99K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.89 / yr | $39K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.39 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $88K |
| 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
Clark County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (3), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2013 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $746K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $775K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Clark County ranks #57 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 3 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. Clark County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.