White County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
White County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.7, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $51M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
White County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $51M in expected annual loss for a population of 77K.
Beyond physical exposure, White County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: White County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 14 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, White County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.21 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $16M |
| Tornado | High | 0.85 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.81 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.68 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.43 / yr | $18M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.84 / yr | $190K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $335K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.95 / yr | $511K |
| Hail | Low | 4.52 / yr | $509K |
| Drought | Medium | 7.46 / yr | $449K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $103K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $767K |
| 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
White County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (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 |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for White County?
White County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in White County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $16M EAL), Tornado (High, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does White County compare to other Arkansas counties?
White County ranks #9 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has White County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for White County since 1968, most often 14 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm 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. White County's $51M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.