Gasconade County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Gasconade County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.0, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Gasconade County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 11.58 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $613K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gasconade County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gasconade County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Gasconade County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.78 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $613K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.12 / yr | $136K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 5.03 / yr | $235K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.95 / yr | $53K |
| Drought | Low | 4.31 / yr | $50K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $781K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.48 / yr | $322K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.53 / yr | $91K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Gasconade County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gasconade County?
Gasconade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gasconade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $613K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gasconade County compare to other Missouri counties?
Gasconade County ranks #80 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gasconade County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Gasconade County since 1973, most often 7 for flood events and 6 for severe 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. Gasconade County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.