Dade County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Dade County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.3, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought 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 Dade County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 23.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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 — $259K in expected annual loss and about 1.06 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $583K in expected annual loss and about 11.55 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $587K in expected annual loss and about 14.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dade County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Dade County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Dade County ranks #96 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.06 / yr | $259K |
| Drought | Medium | 11.55 / yr | $583K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.63 / yr | $587K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.04 / yr | $519K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.26 / yr | $671K |
| Hail | Low | 7.54 / yr | $186K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.40 / yr | $883K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.42 / yr | $40K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $138K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 55.56 / yr | $63K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $73 |
| 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
Dade County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 |
| 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 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | 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 |
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 Dade County?
Dade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $259K EAL), Drought (Medium, $583K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $587K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dade County compare to other Missouri counties?
Dade County ranks #96 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dade County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Dade County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in July 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. Dade County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.