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Randolph County, Arkansas

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
27th of 75highest risk in Arkansas
$20Mexpected losses a year
25federal declarations
1 in 100homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, CC0

Randolph County, Arkansas has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 67% of US counties. It ranks 27th of 75 counties in Arkansas. The costliest hazards here are earthquakes, inland flooding and cold waves. FEMA estimates about $20 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,097 per resident. Since 1969 it has been included in 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (19 major disasters). The most recent was in January 2026 (severe winter storm). About 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (84 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $9.6 million on 234 claims here, including $6.3 million for floods in 2017.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Randolph County

Earthquake

Moderate
$6.1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 110 years.
  • Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
  • Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
$4.5 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.

Cold wave

Moderate
$3.9 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
  • Know how to shut off the main water valve.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
EarthquakeModerate92.4
$6M
Inland floodingLow45.5
$5M
Cold waveModerate84.8
$4M
TornadoModerate77.8
$3M
Heat waveModerate82.9
$1M
Ice stormHigh89.7
$704K
DroughtModerate65.2
$309K
Strong windLow33.2
$258K
LightningLow50.6
$186K
Winter weatherModerate60.9
$73K
HurricaneVery Low49.3
$54K
HailVery Low13.9
$35K
WildfireVery Low40.0
$20K
LandslideVery Low59.7
$2K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Randolph County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Severe Storm15
Flood4
Severe Ice Storm2
Hurricane2
Drought1
Winter Storm1

Most recent

Jan 24, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 21, 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
May 8, 2025Severe Storms and TornadoesMajor disaster
Apr 5, 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingEmergency
May 30, 2024Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 27, 2020Hurricane LauraEmergency
Jun 15, 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 5, 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 29, 2014Severe Storms,Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
May 2, 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 25
Dec 3, 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 6, 2009Severe Winter StormMajor disaster
Jan 28, 2009Severe Winter StormEmergency
Oct 22, 2008Tropical Storm IkeMajor disaster
Mar 26, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 7, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 12, 2006Severe Storms and TornadoesMajor disaster
Sep 2, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Jan 6, 2003Severe Ice StormMajor disaster
Jan 23, 1999Ar Severe Weather 1-21-99Major disaster
Dec 13, 1982Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 3, 1976DroughtEmergency
Jun 7, 1975Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 27, 1973Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 15, 1969Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster

Arkansas also had 8 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1955

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 344 storm reports in Randolph County since 1955, with 3 deaths and 7 injuries and about $33.8 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F3 tornado on April 2, 2006 near Pocahontas.

22tornadoes
103hail reports, largest 2.75 inches
120damaging thunderstorm winds
96floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Apr 2, 2006F3Pocahontas0 / 0
Apr 5, 1999F2Pocahontas0 / 0
Jul 2, 1994F2To 3 Sse1 / 0
Aug 27, 2020EF2Biggers0 / 0
Apr 22, 1955F2–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 1, 2017FloodSupply$15M
May 3, 2017Flash FloodPocahontas$3M
Sep 23, 2006Flash FloodNorth Portion$3M
Apr 1, 2008FloodPocahontas$2M
Mar 18, 2008FloodPocahontas$2M
Apr 5, 1999TornadoPocahontas$2M

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through May 25, 2025. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1906, 0 hurricanes and 4 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Randolph County. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1923, with top winds near 50 mph about 49 miles away.

0hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
4tropical storms
1941most recent: unnamed storm

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Oct 16, 1923UnnamedTropical storm, 50 mph49 mi
Sep 21, 1909UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph52 mi
Sep 24, 1941UnnamedTropical storm, 40 mph57 mi
Sep 28, 1906UnnamedTropical storm, 40 mph60 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 24, 1941UnnamedTropical storm, 40 mph57 mi
Oct 16, 1923UnnamedTropical storm, 50 mph49 mi
Sep 21, 1909UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph52 mi
Sep 28, 1906UnnamedTropical storm, 40 mph60 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Randolph County

Check your address flood zone ›
1%of homes have federal flood insurance (84 policies)
8.8%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$9.6 millionpaid on 234 flood claims since 1978
2017costliest year, with $6.3 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Randolph County

$130,600median home value (Arkansas $188,000, US $332,700)
1979median year homes were built (Arkansas 1987, US 1980)
51%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
14.2%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 8,656 housing units.

Compare in Arkansas

All 75 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Pulaski CountyHighInland flooding
Benton CountyModerateInland flooding
Washington CountyModerateHeat wave
Sebastian CountyModerateInland flooding
Faulkner CountyModerateTornado
Saline CountyLowInland flooding
Craighead CountyModerateEarthquake
Garland CountyModerateInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Greene CountyLow26
Sharp CountyLow24
Lawrence CountyLow21
Clay CountyLow23
Ripley County, MOLow22
Oregon County, MOLow23

Common questions about Randolph County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Randolph County?

Earthquake has the highest expected yearly losses in Randolph County, about $6.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $4.5 million.

How many federal disasters has Randolph County had?

Randolph County has been included in 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1969, including 19 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm in January 2026.

Is Randolph County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 27th highest of 75 in Arkansas. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Randolph County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 100 homes in Randolph County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Randolph County had?

NOAA records list 22 tornadoes in Randolph County since 1950. The strongest was an F3 tornado on April 2, 2006 near Pocahontas. The weather service has also logged 103 hail reports and 96 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Randolph County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 4 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Randolph County. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1923, with winds near 50 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.