Moniteau County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Moniteau County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.0, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Moniteau County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 31.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $589K in expected annual loss and about 1.06 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 12.26 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $141K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Moniteau 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Moniteau County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2021.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Moniteau County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.06 / yr | $589K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.26 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $141K |
| Drought | Low | 11.81 / yr | $255K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $376K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.37 / yr | $64K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.50 / yr | $148K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $548 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.52 / yr | $317K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.76 / yr | $82K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Moniteau County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | 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 |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Moniteau County?
Moniteau County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Moniteau County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $589K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $141K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Moniteau County compare to other Missouri counties?
Moniteau County ranks #82 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Moniteau County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Moniteau County since 1973, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood 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. Moniteau County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.