Knox County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Knox County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.0, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Knox County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.42 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $247K in expected annual loss and about 8.30 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knox County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Knox County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 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, Knox County ranks #102 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.42 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 8.30 / yr | $247K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 3.33 / yr | $149K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.73 / yr | $130K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $661K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.62 / yr | $232K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.37 / yr | $242K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.11 / yr | $6K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Knox County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), 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 |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Low, $247K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Missouri counties?
Knox County ranks #102 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knox County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Knox County since 1973, most often 15 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. Knox County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.