Craighead County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Craighead County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.8, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $90M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.28 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $36M |
| Tornado | High | 0.55 / yr | $18M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 20.05 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.26 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | High | 8.95 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 7.05 / yr | $356K |
| Lightning | High | 57.35 / yr | $754K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $15M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $912K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Low | 3.36 / yr | $411K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $119K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Craighead County?
Craighead County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.8 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 Craighead County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $36M EAL), Tornado (High, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Craighead County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Craighead County ranks #3 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. Craighead County's $90M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.