Arkansas · Preparedness Guide
Tornadoes, flash floods, ice storms, and New Madrid earthquake risk — Arkansas sits at the intersection of several major hazard corridors.
About this guide
Arkansas is compact but sits at a geographic crossroads of disaster risk. The Arkansas River Valley and the Ozark Plateau in the north get ice storms, flash flooding in mountain hollows, and significant tornado exposure. The Delta in the east is flat, low-lying, and sits directly over the New Madrid Seismic Zone — the same fault system that produced the most powerful earthquakes in recorded US history in 1811-1812. South Arkansas deals with tornadoes and flooding. The state has relatively few large population centers, which means when disasters hit rural areas, help can be slow to arrive. Self-sufficiency here is not a preference — it is geography.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Tornadoes, Flooding, Earthquakes (New Madrid)
AR has expanded Medicaid — adults up to 138% FPL may qualify
USDA hardiness zones: 6b (Ozark highlands) to 8a (south AR / Texarkana area)
Unemployment: up to $451/week for 12 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the AR risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours