Hempstead County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Hempstead County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.1, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hempstead County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
Most of Hempstead County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.38 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $995K in expected annual loss and about 4.85 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $811K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hempstead County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Hempstead County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 12 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, Hempstead County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.85 / yr | $995K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $811K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 17.84 / yr | $626K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.10 / yr | $646K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $240K |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.25 / yr | $282K |
| Drought | Low | 23.70 / yr | $209K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.68 / yr | $50K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $309 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $76K |
| 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
Hempstead County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (5), Hurricane (2).
| 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 |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Ike |
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 Hempstead County?
Hempstead County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hempstead County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $995K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $811K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hempstead County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Hempstead County ranks #41 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hempstead County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Hempstead County since 1968, most often 12 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. Hempstead County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.