Laclede County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Laclede County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.0, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Laclede County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 66.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.98 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Laclede County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Laclede County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Laclede County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.98 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.16 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $312K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $157K |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.94 / yr | $519K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.43 / yr | $9M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 6.05 / yr | $256K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.73 / yr | $436K |
| Drought | Low | 3.74 / yr | $69K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Laclede County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (3), Severe Ice Storm (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 |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Laclede County?
Laclede County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Laclede County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Laclede County compare to other Missouri counties?
Laclede County ranks #37 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Laclede County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Laclede County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Laclede County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.