Livingston County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Livingston County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.0, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Livingston County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 23.0 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $908K in expected annual loss and about 16.58 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $590K in expected annual loss and about 10.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Livingston County has a very 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: Livingston County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 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 2021.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Livingston County ranks #97 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 16.58 / yr | $908K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.37 / yr | $590K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.79 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.67 / yr | $221K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.49 / yr | $158K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.54 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.55 / yr | $229K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.05 / yr | $18K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Livingston County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2014 | 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 |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Livingston County?
Livingston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.0 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 Livingston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $908K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $590K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Livingston County compare to other Missouri counties?
Livingston County ranks #97 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Livingston County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Livingston County since 1973, most often 14 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 2021.
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. Livingston County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.