Lawrence County, Arkansas Hazard Report | Natural Catastrophe And Climate Risk

HazardDB

Hazard Score

130 Catastrophes Recorded

Historical_Hail

Historical_Tornadoes

Historical_Hurricanes

Historical_Floods

Historical_Wind

119

Historical_Wildfires

Lawrence County, Arkansas

5 Cities with a Population of 17,196, and 6,938 Households

Lawrence, Arkansas has a relatively low overall risk score of 68.98, with specific risk ratings varying across different natural disaster categories. The county experiences a moderate risk for wildfires (79.57) and thunderstorms (42.76), while facing relatively low risks for earthquakes (66.47), floods (86.70), and winter weather events (33.66). Specific climate factors in the region contribute to these risks, including the frequency of lightning events (92.59%) and hailstorms (3.83%). Lawrence County also has a history of tornado events, with 25 occurrences recorded, resulting in a relatively high risk rating of 79.57.

Geological features in Lawrence County that could impact hazard risk include fault lines, mountain peaks, and water bodies. The area is situated near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a major seismic zone in the southern United States, increasing the risk of earthquakes. Additionally, the presence of Crowley's Ridge, a prominent geological feature in the region, may influence weather patterns and impact hazard risk. The county also has several water bodies, including the Black River, which can contribute to flooding events during periods of heavy rainfall.

Lawrence County's coastal proximity is not a significant factor in its hazard risk assessment, as it is a landlocked area. The county's location in the Ozark Mountains region provides some protection from certain natural disasters but can also contribute to localized weather patterns that increase the risk of wildfires and thunderstorms. Overall, the risk assessment for Lawrence, Arkansas, emphasizes the importance of preparedness and mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of natural disasters on the population and infrastructure in the county.

Wildfire Risk: Very Low

Tornado Risk: Low

Hurricane Risk: Low

Hail Risk: Very Low

Flood Risk: Moderate High

Tsunami Risk: Very Low

Earthquake Risk: Very Low

Wind Risk: Low

HAZARDS

10

Power Transmission Lines

0

Coastlines

18

Water Bodies

0

Fault Lines

EMERGENCY SERVICES

4

Hazard Shelters

14

Fire Stations

1

Hospitals

4

Police Stations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Lawrence County, Arkansas has a population of 17,196 with a population density of 29 people per square mile. The racial composition of the county is primarily White, making up 98.5% of the population, followed by Black or African American at 0.8%, and American Indian or Alaska Native at 0.4%. The county has a slightly higher percentage of males (49.2%) compared to females (50.8%), and the median age is 40.9 years. The average household size is 2.42, with a total of 6,938 households in the county. Family households make up the majority at 68.6%, with married-couple households with children at 21% and households with no children at 32.4%.

In terms of housing, Lawrence County has a total of 8,000 housing units, with a homeownership rate of 60.1% and a rental occupancy rate of 26.6%. The county also has a significant agricultural presence, with 559 farms in 2012 and 535 farms in 2017. The average farm size increased from 452 to 504 acres, and the total crop acres also increased from 179,193 to 204,129. The average farm sales in 2017 were $281,491, showing a growth from $266,798 in 2012. Compared to other counties in Arkansas, Lawrence County has a lower population density and a higher proportion of White residents. Additionally, the county has a higher average farm size and farm sales compared to the state average.

Regions

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

Average Temperature

15 °F Cold

Average Precipitation

1233 mm Moderately High

Average Humidity

81% Moderately High

Plant Hardiness

7/10 Moderately High

NATURAL CATASTROPHE TIMELINE

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Tornado

2017-03-07

Flooding

Heavy Rain

2015-12-15

Hailstorm

2015-04-09

Heavy Rain

Hailstorm

2008-06-09

Flooding

Heavy Rain

2008-05-24

Hailstorm

2008-04-25

2006-09-22

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Tornado

2004-10-18

Hailstorm

2004-08-23

Hailstorm

2004-08-10

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Hailstorm

1998-04-27

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain

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