Daviess County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Daviess County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.1, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Daviess County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $923K in expected annual loss and about 17.84 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $601K in expected annual loss and about 9.63 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Daviess County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Daviess County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 12 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 2021.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Daviess County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 17.84 / yr | $923K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.63 / yr | $601K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.17 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Low | 5.13 / yr | $270K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $763K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.80 / yr | $268K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.27 / yr | $79K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.32 / yr | $19K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $15K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Daviess County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms 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 Daviess County?
Daviess County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Daviess County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $923K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $601K EAL), Landslide (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Daviess County compare to other Missouri counties?
Daviess County ranks #84 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Daviess County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Daviess County since 1965, most often 12 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 2021.
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. Daviess County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.