Platte County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Platte County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.4, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Platte County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 Platte County's expected losses come from heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 14.89 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 8.89 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $48M in expected annual loss for a population of 106K.
Beyond physical exposure, Platte County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Platte County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for flood events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Platte County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.89 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.32 / yr | $525K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.84 / yr | $964K |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.71 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.27 / yr | $38K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.68 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.04 / yr | $594K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $139K |
| Drought | Low | 15.01 / yr | $370K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $275K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Platte County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (9), 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 |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | 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 |
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 Platte County?
Platte County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Platte County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Platte County compare to other Missouri counties?
Platte County ranks #29 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Platte County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Platte County since 1965, most often 10 for flood events and 9 for severe 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. Platte County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.