Cass County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Cass County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.9, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $44M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cass County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 8.17 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.13 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $44M in expected annual loss for a population of 108K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cass County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Cass County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Cass County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 8.17 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.13 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.95 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.05 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.16 / yr | $291K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $363K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $17M |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.33 / yr | $527K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $450K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 5.19 / yr | $186K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Cass County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
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 Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Missouri counties?
Cass County ranks #24 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cass County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Cass County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Cass County's $44M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.