Cross County, AR Environment & Hazard Risk

• EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$10.55M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 109 years
• Ice stormRelatively High$578K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$881K/yr expected annual loss, about 8.1 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$745K/yr expected annual loss, about 22 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$792K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.8 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$1.49M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• LandslideVery Low$1,068/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• HurricaneVery Low$57.55K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 59 years
• HailRelatively Low$154K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$452K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.7 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$30.65K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.2 events a year
• LightningRelatively Low$91.89K/yr expected annual loss, about 58 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$3,387/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3,635 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

82 of 7,650 (1.1%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

0

Flood claims since 1978

61

Claims paid since 1978

$2.25M

• Heat92
• Thunderstorm Wind70 · 1 death
• Excessive Heat52
• Hail36
• Winter Storm29
• Drought25
• Tornado21 · 4 deaths
• Winter Weather18
• Flash Flood11
• Cold/Wind Chill8

• TornadoEF3, 26.94 mi path, 1,600 yd wide03/31/2023

  Mc Manus, Cross County

  4 deaths, 26 injured, $150M damage

  What happened

  NWS meteorologists determined an EF-3 tornado touched down in western Cross County at 431 PM CDT on March 31 on County Road 537, just south of Highway 284. The tornado tracked to the east-northeast towards Wynne, AR where it crossed Highway 284 multiple times. EF-2 damage was observed north of Ellis Chapel and McElroy. Just east northeast of McElroy, significant EF-2 damage to the sewage treatment plant was noted where an 80-yard-long shed with a sturdy roofing structure of metal failed and became lofted. The roofing wadded up and destroyed two cinder block buildings before landing 100 yards away. The tornado strengthened to an EF-3 as it moved into the western section of Wynne, AR. The tornado then ravaged the center of Wynne, including the Wynne High School. Several one and two-family residences in Wynne were partially to completely destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved away from Wynne and traveled to the north of Parkin, AR where EF-2 damage was observed. The tornado then crossed into Crittenden County. Peak winds in Cross County were estimated at 150 mph.

• Flood05/01/2011

  Bay Vlg, Cross County

  1 death, $200K damage

  What happened

  Heavy rain during late April into early May caused the St. Francis River to rise to near record levels. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May. Several homes sustained minor damage from the flooding. Several roads were closed and/or damaged. Several hundred acres of cropland was flooded. A man drowned when he disobeyed closed road signs on Highway 42 and drove his vehicle into 12-18 inches of running water that covered the road. The vehicle was then swept away.

• Thunderstorm Wind02/07/1999

  Hickory Ridge, Cross County

  1 death, $75K damage

  What happened

  One man was killed in Wynne when a tree fell onto his mobile home crushing the home. An awning was blown off of a building in Vanndale. Several other businesses were damaged. Several trees and power poles were knocked down.

• TornadoF3, 30.5 mi path, 500 yd wide04/03/2006

  Fairoaks, Cross County

  5 injured, $5M damage

  What happened

  This tornado continued east from Woodruff County into Cross County eventually crossing into Crittenden County. The most affected area was the Fitzgerald Crossing community located south of Wynne and the Village Creek State Park. Twenty-four homes and two mobile homes were destroyed. Ten homes had major damage with twenty seven homes and five mobile homes receiving minor damage. Most of this damage occurred south of Wynne near the Intersection of State Highway 1 and County Road 652. The Village Creek State Park suffered damage to the Visitors' Center and the tennis court. Five minor injuries occurred with the tornado.

• Heat08/05/2007

  Cross

  5 injured

  What happened

  Hot and Humid weather settled over East Arkansas during most of August. High temperatures reached near or above the 100 degree mark during the month with heat index values reaching above the 105 degrees. Five heat-related injuries were reported at CrossRidge Community Hospital in Wynne.

• TornadoF3, 16 mi path, 275 yd wide05/05/2003

  Tilton, Cross County

  4 injured, $1M damage

  What happened

  The tornado moved into Cross County from Woodruff County near Tilton and moved east. Five homes were destroyed and four others were damaged in Tilton. Another three homes were damaged in Vanndale.

• Heat07/31/2026

  Cross

• Heat07/29/2026

  Cross

• Excessive Heat07/28/2026

  Cross

• Excessive Heat07/27/2026

  Cross

• Excessive Heat07/26/2026

  Cross

• Excessive Heat07/21/2026

  Cross

• Excessive Heat07/20/2026

  Cross

• Heat07/19/2026

  Cross

• Cross County Rural Water SysServes 8,750 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Wynne WaterworksServes 8,391 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Vanndale-Birdeye Water AssocServes 2,174 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Parkin WaterworksServes 1,045 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Cherry Valley WaterworksServes 650 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Hickory Ridge WaterworksServes 424 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Parkin Rural Public Water AuthorityServes 323 · Purchased groundwater · Local government4 health violations+2 monitoring or reporting