Mercer County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Mercer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.3, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.41 / yr | $11K |
| Drought | Medium | 12.42 / yr | $587K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.53 / yr | $230K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $755K |
| Hail | Low | 4.08 / yr | $145K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.68 / yr | $389K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.41 / yr | $138K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.89 / yr | $11K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.67 / yr | $23K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.22 / 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mercer County?
Mercer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mercer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $11K EAL), Drought (Medium, $587K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $32K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mercer County compare to other Missouri counties?
Mercer County ranks #111 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Mercer County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.