Bollinger County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Bollinger County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.3, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bollinger County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Bollinger County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $7K in expected annual loss and about 2.09 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $165K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bollinger County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Bollinger County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 17 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Bollinger County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.09 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $165K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.89 / yr | $525K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.37 / yr | $627K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.74 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $717K |
| Drought | Low | 4.85 / yr | $69K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.14 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.46 / yr | $88K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 56.40 / yr | $66K |
| 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
Bollinger County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bollinger County?
Bollinger County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bollinger County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $165K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bollinger County compare to other Missouri counties?
Bollinger County ranks #91 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bollinger County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Bollinger County since 1973, most often 17 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires, declared in May 2025.
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. Bollinger County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.