Maries County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Maries County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.8, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Maries County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 20.8 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $349K in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $724K in expected annual loss and about 12.37 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Maries County has a low 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: Maries County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Maries County ranks #103 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.07 / yr | $349K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.37 / yr | $724K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.66 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $300K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.68 / yr | $44K |
| Drought | Low | 5.14 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.39 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.74 / yr | $216K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 53.13 / yr | $69K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $43K |
| 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
Maries County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Maries County?
Maries County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.8 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 Maries County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $349K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $724K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Maries County compare to other Missouri counties?
Maries County ranks #103 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Maries County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Maries County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 2025.
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. Maries County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.