Washington County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Washington County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.3, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $130M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.91 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | High | 9.42 / yr | $47M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 10.63 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.81 / yr | $14M |
| Hail | High | 7.33 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 58.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.71 / yr | $42M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.01 / yr | $27K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.89 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $124K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 13.15 / 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 Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $9M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $47M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Washington County ranks #2 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Washington County's $130M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.