Crawford County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Crawford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.0, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crawford County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 10.74 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.58 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $467K in expected annual loss and about 0.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Crawford County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Crawford County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.74 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.58 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $467K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.56 / yr | $9K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.02 / yr | $772K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.58 / yr | $79K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.41 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.60 / yr | $274K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Low | 52.91 / yr | $155K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.96 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Crawford County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 Crawford County?
Crawford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $467K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Missouri counties?
Crawford County ranks #51 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in January 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. Crawford County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.