Dent County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Dent County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.5, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dent County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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.
Most of Dent County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 2.26 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.32 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dent County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Dent County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Dent County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.26 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $209K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.24 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.05 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.37 / yr | $995K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.07 / yr | $378K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.30 / yr | $126K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.46 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.54 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $11K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $44K |
| 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
Dent County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Severe Ice Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dent County?
Dent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dent County compare to other Missouri counties?
Dent County ranks #58 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dent County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Dent County since 1976, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm 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. Dent County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.