Clay County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Clay County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.6, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 9.67 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.17 / yr | $931K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.68 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.73 / yr | $498K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.32 / yr | $84K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.10 / yr | $396K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $50K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $77K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $931K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Clay County ranks #20 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Clay County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.