Natural Disaster Risk in Yell County

Natural Hazard Profile: Yell County, Arkansas

Yell County, in the United States in Arkansas, is characterized by its humid subtropical climate — hot, humid summers and frequent severe thunderstorm activity. The county faces a volatile spring storm season, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Yell County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Secondary hazards include lightning and tornado.

Within Arkansas, Yell County's risk is, near the 6.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Yell County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and tornado. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Yell County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.