Lafayette County

Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

33.2

National percentile: 33th

Lafayette County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.2, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $7M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 6K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Ice Storm
Very High $3M/yr
Drought
Medium $869K/yr
Hail
Low $403K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Ice Storm Very High 0.93 / yr $3M
Drought Medium 27.02 / yr $869K
Hail Low 5.24 / yr $403K
Hurricane Low 0.05 / yr $188K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $218K
Heat Wave Low 18.68 / yr $237K
Strong Wind Low 5.37 / yr $320K
Tornado Low 0.43 / yr $623K
Lightning Low 63.18 / yr $64K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $6K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.93 / yr $1M
Landslide Very Low 0.11 / yr $46
Winter Weather Very Low 3.74 / yr $7K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.79 / yr $55K
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 Lafayette County?

Lafayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lafayette County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $869K EAL), Hail (Low, $403K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lafayette County compare to other Arkansas counties?

Lafayette County ranks #61 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Lafayette County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.