Cooper County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Cooper County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.4, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cooper County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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.
Most of Cooper County's expected losses come from heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 12.42 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $589K in expected annual loss and about 15.36 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cooper County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Cooper County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Cooper County ranks #104 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.42 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 15.36 / yr | $589K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $379K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.98 / yr | $83K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $863 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $54K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 4.64 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.41 / yr | $291K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.00 / yr | $108K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.63 / yr | $65K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Cooper County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2021 | 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cooper County?
Cooper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cooper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $589K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cooper County compare to other Missouri counties?
Cooper County ranks #104 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cooper County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Cooper County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, 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. Cooper County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.