Camden County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Camden County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.4, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $62M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Camden County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 88.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Camden County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 1.28 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $46M in expected annual loss and about 3.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $62M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Camden County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Camden County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 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, Camden County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.28 / yr | $177K |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.81 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.11 / yr | $46M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.79 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 12.00 / yr | $375K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $405K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.77 / yr | $643K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.51 / yr | $459K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.23 / yr | $573K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $27K |
| Drought | Low | 4.85 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Camden 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 (14), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| 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 |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 Camden County?
Camden County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Camden County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $177K EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $46M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Camden County compare to other Missouri counties?
Camden County ranks #8 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Camden County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Camden County since 1973, most often 14 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. Camden County's $62M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.