Pulaski County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Pulaski County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.8, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $212M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.09 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.64 / yr | $42M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.00 / yr | $50M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 5.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.89 / yr | $91M |
| Lightning | Very High | 61.58 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.27 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | High | 5.07 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.68 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $39K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $607K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $171K |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.78 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Pulaski County?
Pulaski County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.8 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pulaski County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $8M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $42M EAL), Earthquake (High, $50M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pulaski County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Pulaski County ranks #1 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Pulaski County's $212M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.