Cole County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Cole County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.4, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $43M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.26 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $282K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.60 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.56 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.61 / yr | $748K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $20M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $262K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 4.75 / yr | $323K |
| Drought | Low | 6.64 / yr | $81K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cole County?
Cole County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cole County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $7M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cole County compare to other Missouri counties?
Cole County ranks #27 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Cole County's $43M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.