Pettis County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Pettis County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.0, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pettis County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 62.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 12.84 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pettis 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.
History supports the rating: Pettis County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Pettis County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.84 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 12.55 / yr | $733K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $148K |
| Hail | Low | 5.72 / yr | $567K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $764K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.92 / yr | $921K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $165K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $9M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.57 / yr | $209K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Pettis County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Severe Ice Storm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and 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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Pettis County?
Pettis County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pettis County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pettis County compare to other Missouri counties?
Pettis County ranks #42 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pettis County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Pettis County since 1965, most often 9 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm 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. Pettis County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.