Hickory County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Hickory County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.5, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hickory County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Most of Hickory County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $369K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $114K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $345K in expected annual loss and about 13.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hickory County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Hickory County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Hickory County ranks #95 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.72 / yr | $369K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $114K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.84 / yr | $345K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.77 / yr | $433K |
| Drought | Low | 8.48 / yr | $118K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.74 / yr | $42K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $745K |
| Hail | Low | 6.40 / yr | $136K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $124K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $515 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.32 / yr | $419K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.19 / yr | $90K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Hickory County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 Hickory County?
Hickory County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hickory County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $369K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $114K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $345K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hickory County compare to other Missouri counties?
Hickory County ranks #95 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hickory County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Hickory County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 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. Hickory County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.