Earthquakes risk in Arkansas

Your home inspector finds a hairline crack above the garage door in Jonesboro, and your agent says, “That’s just settling.” Maybe. But northeast Arkansas sits close enough to the New Madrid Seismic Zone that you should ask a different question: is this house ready for a magnitude 6 or 7?

Our statewide rating for Arkansas is 3 out of 5. That is not California or Alaska. It is also not zero. The U.S. Geological Survey lists the New Madrid zone as one of the most active seismic areas east of the Rockies, and the fault system reaches into Arkansas. You do not need to panic. You do need to know what your insurance actually covers and what your house is sitting on.

Who this hits hardest

Earthquake risk in Arkansas is not spread evenly. The northeast corner carries the most attention. Counties like Craighead, Mississippi, Poinsett, Greene, Clay, Crittenden, and Randolph sit in the New Madrid influence zone. Jonesboro, Blytheville, Harrisburg, Paragould, Piggott, and West Memphis are the kinds of places where a strong New Madrid event would be felt hard. The ground along the Mississippi River and its lowlands can also shake differently — softer soils can amplify motion and raise liquefaction potential in spots near the river.

Central Arkansas has its own story. The Guy-Greenbrier swarm in Faulkner County shook homes in 2010 and 2011, and smaller quakes still show up in the USGS catalog. If you live around Greenbrier, Guy, or Enola, you already know the ground can move. The Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains see less seismic action, but no Arkansas county is at zero.

The homes that struggle most are often older. Unreinforced brick veneer, tall chimneys, pier-and-beam foundations with unbraced cripple walls, and houses not bolted to their foundations move more. Mobile homes need tie-downs. A newer house built to modern codes is not invincible, but it usually has better odds. If you are buying in northeast Arkansas, ask for the foundation type and look at the chimney. That is not a deal-breaker. It is a repair budget.

After the event — claims and repairs

This is where Arkansas homeowners get surprised. A standard homeowners policy typically excludes earth movement, and that includes earthquake. Your policy may cover fire if a quake causes a fire, but it usually will not pay for shaking damage unless you bought an earthquake endorsement or a separate earthquake policy. Flood is also excluded and requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Do not assume your regular policy will pick up the tab.

If you do have earthquake coverage, the deductible is often a percentage of your dwelling limit — sometimes 5%, often 10% or more — not a flat $500. On a $250,000 house, that can mean a five-figure check before insurance pays anything. Ask your agent to show you the number in writing before you need it.

After a quake, take photos and video before you clean up. Call your insurer, keep receipts, and do not sign anything from a contractor who shows up uninvited. FEMA Individual Assistance may be available after a presidential disaster declaration, but it is not a substitute for insurance, and it is not automatic. If your claim is denied because of an earth-movement exclusion, that denial is real. Your best move is to know that before the shaking starts.

Before the season starts

There is no earthquake season in Arkansas. That is the problem. The New Madrid zone does not keep a calendar, so a random Tuesday is as likely as any other day. Use a weekend now.

• Strap your water heater to the wall with two metal straps.
• Anchor bookcases, televisions, and tall furniture to studs.
• If you have a pier-and-beam house, brace cripple walls and check that the sill plate is bolted to the foundation.
• Reinforce or rebuild a masonry chimney. Falling bricks are a common injury source.
• Install an automatic gas shutoff valve and use flexible gas connectors where allowed.
• Keep a go-bag with shoes, a flashlight, medications, water, and copies of your insurance policy.
• Practice drop, cover, and hold on with everyone in the house.

If you have one weekend and $200, strap the water heater and anchor the big furniture. That is the highest-return hour you can spend. Then call your insurance agent and price an earthquake endorsement. You may decide the deductible is too high. At least you will know.

Questions we get

Does Arkansas really have earthquakes?

Yes. Most of the attention goes to the New Madrid Seismic Zone in northeast Arkansas, but central Arkansas has had swarms too, including the Guy-Greenbrier sequence in Faulkner County. USGS records small quakes in the state most years. The question is not whether they happen. It is whether your house and your policy are ready.

Is earthquake insurance required in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas does not require homeowners to carry earthquake coverage, and most mortgage lenders do not require it either. That makes it optional, and a lot of homes in Craighead, Mississippi, and Crittenden counties go without it. If you want it, you usually add an endorsement or buy a standalone policy.

What should I do first if the ground shakes in Arkansas?

Drop, cover, and hold on. Get under a sturdy table and stay away from windows and brick chimneys. After the shaking stops, check for gas leaks and structural damage. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside. Then photograph damage and contact your insurer. Ready.gov has a plain-language checklist that is worth reading before you need it.

Official sources

• Arkansas Division of Emergency Management
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• Ready.gov – Earthquakes
• FEMA Earthquake Safety