Osage County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Osage County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.9, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Osage County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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.
Most of Osage County's expected losses come from heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.21 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 1.39 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $237K in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Osage County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Osage County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Osage County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.21 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.39 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $237K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $409K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.26 / yr | $51K |
| Drought | Low | 5.43 / yr | $65K |
| Hail | Low | 4.91 / yr | $166K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $486K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.21 / yr | $97K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.06 / yr | $232K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Osage County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (6), 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Osage County?
Osage County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Osage County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $11K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $237K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Osage County compare to other Missouri counties?
Osage County ranks #78 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Osage County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Osage County since 1973, most often 15 for severe storm events and 6 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. Osage County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.