Christian County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Christian County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.5, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $36M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Christian County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.52 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 13.16 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $36M in expected annual loss for a population of 89K.
Beyond physical exposure, Christian 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 federal record bears this out: Christian County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 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, Christian County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.52 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.16 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $239K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.74 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.05 / yr | $755K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $249K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.43 / yr | $18M |
| Hail | Low | 7.10 / yr | $675K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 3.44 / yr | $79K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| 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
Christian County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| June 2017 | 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 |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Christian County?
Christian County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Christian County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Christian County compare to other Missouri counties?
Christian County ranks #35 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Christian County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Christian County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 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. Christian County's $36M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.