Cedar County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Cedar County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.0, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cedar County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 26.0 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $257K in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $691K in expected annual loss and about 15.37 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $693K in expected annual loss and about 5.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cedar County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Cedar County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 for severe storm events and 5 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Cedar County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $257K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.37 / yr | $691K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.23 / yr | $693K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 13.46 / yr | $232K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $761K |
| Hail | Low | 6.79 / yr | $203K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.21 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.76 / yr | $116K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $110 |
| 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
Cedar County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (5), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cedar County?
Cedar County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.0 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 Cedar County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $257K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $691K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $693K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cedar County compare to other Missouri counties?
Cedar County ranks #92 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cedar County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Cedar County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 5 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. Cedar County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.