Nodaway County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Nodaway County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.6, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Nodaway County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 Nodaway County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 18.63 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $742K in expected annual loss and about 5.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nodaway County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Nodaway County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 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, Nodaway County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 18.63 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 5.91 / yr | $742K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.30 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.87 / yr | $501K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.32 / yr | $601K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.53 / yr | $64K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.47 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.00 / yr | $451K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Nodaway County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| 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 |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 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 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nodaway County?
Nodaway County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nodaway County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $742K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nodaway County compare to other Missouri counties?
Nodaway County ranks #67 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nodaway County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Nodaway County since 1965, most often 10 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. Nodaway County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.