Macon County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Macon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.8, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Macon County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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 — $18K in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $551K in expected annual loss and about 47.48 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Macon 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.
History supports the rating: Macon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Macon County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.48 / yr | $18K |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.48 / yr | $551K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.79 / yr | $589K |
| Hail | Low | 3.40 / yr | $361K |
| Drought | Low | 7.97 / yr | $259K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $316K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.05 / yr | $390K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.89 / yr | $418K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.68 / yr | $21K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $21K |
| 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
Macon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Macon County?
Macon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Macon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $18K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $551K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Macon County compare to other Missouri counties?
Macon County ranks #74 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Macon County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Macon County since 1973, most often 12 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 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. Macon County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.