Nevada County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Nevada County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.6, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Nevada County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 30.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.70 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $329K in expected annual loss and about 4.68 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $227K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nevada 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.
History supports the rating: Nevada County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 14 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Nevada County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.70 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 4.68 / yr | $329K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $227K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $85K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.21 / yr | $276K |
| Lightning | Low | 63.80 / yr | $129K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $646K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.02 / yr | $288K |
| Drought | Low | 17.15 / yr | $45K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.58 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $75 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $28K |
| 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
Nevada County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Winter Storm (2), Flood (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 |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
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 Nevada County?
Nevada County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nevada County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $329K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $227K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nevada County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Nevada County ranks #65 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nevada County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Nevada County since 1979, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm 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. Nevada County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.