Desha County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Desha County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.9, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 11.61 / yr | $337K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.84 / yr | $435K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $182K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.54 / yr | $930K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $58K |
| Hail | Low | 2.83 / yr | $158K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.99 / yr | $265K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.25 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $205K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 61.48 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $60 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.79 / yr | $10K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $691 |
| 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 Desha County?
Desha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Desha County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $337K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $435K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Desha County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Desha County ranks #62 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Desha County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.