Yell County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Yell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.9, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.99 / yr | $640K |
| Lightning | High | 62.19 / yr | $700K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.80 / yr | $736K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $111K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $483K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.25 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.11 / yr | $581K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.04 / yr | $66K |
| Hail | Low | 5.73 / yr | $255K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.91 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $45K |
| Drought | Low | 13.74 / yr | $70K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $453K |
| 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 Yell County?
Yell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $640K EAL), Lightning (High, $700K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yell County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Yell County ranks #34 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. Yell County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.