Polk County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Polk County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.1, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.90 / yr | $759K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $356K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.23 / yr | $603K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.45 / yr | $6K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.33 / yr | $574K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.52 / yr | $72K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.20 / yr | $215K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.85 / yr | $462K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $247K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $259K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.46 / 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 Polk County?
Polk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Polk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $759K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $356K EAL), Hail (Medium, $603K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Polk County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Polk County ranks #50 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. Polk County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.