Poinsett County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Poinsett County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.5, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Poinsett County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 72.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Poinsett 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: Poinsett County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 14 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Poinsett County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.19 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.63 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.57 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.42 / yr | $951K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.11 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $886 |
| Hail | Low | 3.41 / yr | $175K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.56 / yr | $146K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.79 / yr | $313K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.32 / yr | $31K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Poinsett County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| 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 |
| November 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Poinsett County?
Poinsett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Poinsett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $12M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Poinsett County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Poinsett County ranks #18 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Poinsett County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Poinsett County since 1968, most often 14 for severe storm events and 6 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. Poinsett County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.