Crawford County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Crawford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.6, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Crawford County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 71.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.81 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 23.95 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $30M in expected annual loss for a population of 60K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Crawford County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Crawford County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.81 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 23.95 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $48K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.84 / yr | $207K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.61 / yr | $655K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.00 / yr | $13M |
| Drought | Medium | 14.51 / yr | $490K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $656K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 6.38 / yr | $421K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $40K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.19 / yr | $428K |
| 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
Crawford County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crawford County?
Crawford 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 Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Crawford County ranks #21 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Crawford County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.