Holt County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Holt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.7, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Holt County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 15.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 16.27 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $440K in expected annual loss and about 10.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Holt County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Holt County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Holt County ranks #107 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 16.27 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.00 / yr | $440K |
| Hail | Low | 6.91 / yr | $272K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $963K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $44K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $397K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.69 / yr | $170K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.58 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.17 / yr | $41K |
| 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
Holt County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (8), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2021 | 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 |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Holt County?
Holt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Holt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $440K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Holt County compare to other Missouri counties?
Holt County ranks #107 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Holt County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Holt County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Holt County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.