Perry County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Perry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.1, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Perry County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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.
Most of Perry County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $463K in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $310K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Perry County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 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, Perry County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.27 / yr | $463K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $310K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 17.42 / yr | $386K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Low | 9.14 / yr | $161K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.94 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.73 / yr | $329K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.50 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 5.61 / yr | $131K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.97 / yr | $102K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.32 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $117K |
| 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
Perry County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $463K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $310K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Perry County ranks #67 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1969, most often 9 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. Perry County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.