Newton County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Newton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.4, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 58.18 / yr | $540K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.98 / yr | $299K |
| Landslide | Low | 2.51 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $760K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $432K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $81K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.82 / yr | $117K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.14 / yr | $217K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.32 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Very Low | 5.71 / yr | $33K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.40 / 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 Newton County?
Newton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Newton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $540K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $299K EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Newton County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Newton County ranks #71 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. Newton County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.