Perry County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Perry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.2, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Perry County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.2 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.26 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Perry County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 18 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Perry County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.26 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.58 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $208K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.32 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.68 / yr | $116K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.40 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.99 / yr | $284K |
| Drought | Low | 3.44 / yr | $62K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $29K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.50 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Low | 54.40 / yr | $142K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Perry County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and 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 Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.2 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 Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Missouri counties?
Perry County ranks #65 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1973, most often 18 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires, 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. Perry County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.