Woodruff County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Woodruff County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.3, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Woodruff County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 High risk — $501K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $879K in expected annual loss and about 8.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Woodruff County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Woodruff County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Woodruff County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.03 / yr | $501K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.82 / yr | $879K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $46K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 17.37 / yr | $203K |
| Hail | Low | 3.94 / yr | $108K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 10.14 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.33 / yr | $188K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.63 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.86 / yr | $54K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $40 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $97K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Woodruff County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), 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 |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| June 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Woodruff County?
Woodruff County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Woodruff County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $501K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $879K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Woodruff County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Woodruff County ranks #54 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Woodruff County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Woodruff County since 1969, most often 13 for severe storm events and 4 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. Woodruff County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.