Ralls County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Ralls County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.1, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ralls County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.53 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $256K in expected annual loss and about 6.70 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ralls 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ralls County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2021.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Ralls County ranks #109 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.53 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.22 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Low | 6.70 / yr | $256K |
| Hail | Low | 3.86 / yr | $234K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $184K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.00 / yr | $371K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.21 / yr | $521K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.13 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $376K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.41 / yr | $103K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.58 / yr | $16K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Ralls County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | 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 |
| June 2017 | 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 |
| October 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
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 Ralls County?
Ralls County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ralls County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Drought (Low, $256K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ralls County compare to other Missouri counties?
Ralls County ranks #109 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ralls County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Ralls County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2021.
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. Ralls County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.