Benton County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Benton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.8, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Benton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 66.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Benton County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.04 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $495K in expected annual loss and about 52.21 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $263K in expected annual loss and about 0.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benton County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Benton County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2023.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Benton County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.04 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.21 / yr | $495K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $263K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.00 / yr | $902K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.57 / yr | $483K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.55 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.46 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $974K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $288K |
| Hail | Low | 5.85 / yr | $217K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Benton County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $495K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $263K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Missouri counties?
Benton County ranks #34 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benton County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Benton County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2023.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Benton County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.