DeKalb County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
DeKalb County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.0, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in DeKalb County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 16.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 — $602K in expected annual loss and about 21.66 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $314K in expected annual loss and about 6.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, DeKalb County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: DeKalb County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, DeKalb County ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 21.66 / yr | $602K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 6.40 / yr | $314K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.89 / yr | $331K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.84 / yr | $866K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $37K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.66 / yr | $340K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.11 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.34 / yr | $57K |
| 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
DeKalb County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $602K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $314K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Missouri counties?
DeKalb County ranks #105 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has DeKalb County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for DeKalb County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. DeKalb County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.