Sevier County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Sevier County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.9, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sevier County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $579K in expected annual loss and about 4.75 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 64.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sevier 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: Sevier County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Sevier County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.47 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.75 / yr | $579K |
| Lightning | Medium | 64.63 / yr | $272K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.16 / yr | $438K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $284K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.75 / yr | $381K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $63K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.63 / yr | $39K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Low | 26.30 / yr | $66K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $259K |
| 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
Sevier County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (3), Tornado (3).
| 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 |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2009 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sevier County?
Sevier County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sevier County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $7M EAL), Hail (Medium, $579K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $272K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sevier County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Sevier County ranks #29 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sevier County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Sevier County since 1968, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 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. Sevier County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.