Gentry County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Gentry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.8, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and heat wave 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 Gentry County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 22.97 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 9.11 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $333K in expected annual loss and about 5.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gentry County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gentry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2023.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Gentry County ranks #87 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 22.97 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.11 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 5.78 / yr | $333K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.53 / yr | $660K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.14 / yr | $204K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.84 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.61 / yr | $49K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gentry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gentry County?
Gentry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gentry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $333K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gentry County compare to other Missouri counties?
Gentry County ranks #87 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gentry County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Gentry County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2023.
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. Gentry County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.