Henry County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Henry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.8, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Henry County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.8 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 Henry County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $307K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $677K in expected annual loss and about 12.12 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $813K in expected annual loss and about 4.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henry 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 federal record bears this out: Henry County has received 20 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, Henry County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $307K |
| Drought | Medium | 12.12 / yr | $677K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.65 / yr | $813K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.84 / yr | $726K |
| Hail | Low | 6.51 / yr | $427K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.89 / yr | $79K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 5.11 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $334K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.53 / yr | $241K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Henry County has received 20 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), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 Henry County?
Henry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.8 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 Henry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $307K EAL), Drought (Medium, $677K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $813K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henry County compare to other Missouri counties?
Henry County ranks #57 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henry County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Henry 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. Henry County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.