Pulaski County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Pulaski County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.5, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pulaski County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 12.05 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $807K in expected annual loss and about 1.02 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 54K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pulaski County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pulaski County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Pulaski County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.02 / yr | $807K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.42 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.02 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.37 / yr | $200K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.21 / yr | $604K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.19 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $135K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.50 / yr | $13M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 5.44 / yr | $240K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.40 / yr | $22K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Pulaski County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 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 |
| 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 |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pulaski County?
Pulaski County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pulaski County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $807K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pulaski County compare to other Missouri counties?
Pulaski County ranks #43 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pulaski County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Pulaski County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in January 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. Pulaski County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.