Howard County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Howard County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.5, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.78 / yr | $603K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $347K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 17.53 / yr | $369K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $92K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.00 / yr | $185K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $898K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $372K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.74 / yr | $42K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $202K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.95 / 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 Howard County?
Howard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Howard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $603K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $347K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Howard County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Howard County ranks #47 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. Howard County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.