Grant County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Grant County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.7, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Grant County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $444K in expected annual loss and about 1.25 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $636K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $603K in expected annual loss and about 18.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant 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.
The federal record bears this out: Grant County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 6 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, Grant County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $444K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $636K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.74 / yr | $603K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.44 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.12 / yr | $505K |
| Hail | Low | 4.87 / yr | $217K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Low | 63.25 / yr | $104K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.00 / yr | $23K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $123 |
| Drought | Very Low | 8.16 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $116K |
| 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
Grant County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| 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 |
| July 2020 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2013 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $444K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $636K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $603K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Grant County ranks #72 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1968, most often 6 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. Grant County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.