Alma, AR: what USGS's seismic model says

Alma carries Seismic Design Category C under USGS's ASCE 7-16 model. Moderate seismic hazard. Code adds irregular-building restrictions and requires bracing of some nonstructural components (e.g. tall shelving, water heaters) in addition to structural detailing. Nationally, Alma ranks above 67% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 67th percentile.

How Alma compares

USGS's underlying values for Alma: 0.079g peak ground acceleration, 0.164g at short period, 0.09g at 1 second. Within Arkansas alone, Alma ranks 46 of 68 cities by seismic hazard - the 33th percentile in-state. Alma has a population of about 6,017.

Retrofit economics for Alma

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Arkansas specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Arkansas.

Earthquake insurance for a Alma home

A Alma homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Alma's figures come from

Alma's Category C and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category C does and doesn't tell you about Alma.