Miller County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Miller County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.1, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Miller County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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.
Most of Miller County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $689K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.47 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $20K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Miller County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Miller County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 17 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Miller County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.78 / yr | $689K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.47 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.93 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $170K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.84 / yr | $123K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $656K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.47 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.82 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | Low | 53.26 / yr | $243K |
| Hail | Low | 5.16 / yr | $195K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.64 / yr | $431K |
| Drought | Low | 5.15 / yr | $50K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Miller County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Miller County?
Miller County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Miller County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $689K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $20K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Miller County compare to other Missouri counties?
Miller County ranks #50 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Miller County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Miller County since 1973, most often 17 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Miller County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.