Pemiscot County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Pemiscot County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.0, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pemiscot County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 78.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 78th 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.25 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 14.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pemiscot County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Pemiscot County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Pemiscot County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.25 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | High | 14.40 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.05 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.00 / yr | $495K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.32 / yr | $80K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.58 / yr | $792K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.27 / yr | $360K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $33K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $145 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.17 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $843 |
| 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
Pemiscot County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pemiscot County?
Pemiscot County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pemiscot County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $14M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pemiscot County compare to other Missouri counties?
Pemiscot County ranks #18 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pemiscot County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Pemiscot County since 1973, most often 15 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 2025.
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. Pemiscot County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.