Howard County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Howard County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.8, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Howard County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $748K in expected annual loss and about 11.68 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $257K in expected annual loss and about 13.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Howard County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Howard County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Howard County ranks #110 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $33K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.68 / yr | $748K |
| Drought | Low | 13.76 / yr | $257K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $189K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $641K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.87 / yr | $47K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.31 / yr | $99K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 3.07 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.29 / yr | $159K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.24 / yr | $56K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Howard County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (6), 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Howard County?
Howard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Howard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $33K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $748K EAL), Drought (Low, $257K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Howard County compare to other Missouri counties?
Howard County ranks #110 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Howard County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Howard County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 6 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. Howard County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.