Van Buren County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Van Buren County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.6, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.37 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.46 / yr | $7K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $777K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $160K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.88 / yr | $374K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.14 / yr | $56K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.15 / yr | $436K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.96 / yr | $157K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $271K |
| Hail | Very Low | 5.22 / yr | $69K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 10.67 / 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Van Buren County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Van Buren County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Van Buren County ranks #44 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Van Buren County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.