Independence County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Independence County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.1, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.34 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.05 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $155K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.32 / yr | $104K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.00 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.12 / yr | $296K |
| Drought | Low | 7.00 / yr | $227K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.32 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $66K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.38 / yr | $471K |
| Hail | Low | 4.05 / yr | $186K |
| 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 Independence County?
Independence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Independence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Independence County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Independence County ranks #23 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Independence County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.