Ripley County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Ripley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.0, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Ripley County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $285K in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $965K in expected annual loss and about 11.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ripley County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Ripley County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Ripley County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $285K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.42 / yr | $965K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.25 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.64 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.42 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.30 / yr | $452K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.21 / yr | $53K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.50 / yr | $138K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $22K |
| Drought | Low | 7.57 / yr | $33K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.38 / yr | $32K |
| 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
Ripley County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ripley County?
Ripley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ripley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $285K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $965K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ripley County compare to other Missouri counties?
Ripley County ranks #47 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ripley County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Ripley County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2026.
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. Ripley County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.