Schuyler County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Schuyler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.6, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Schuyler County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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.
Most of Schuyler County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $5K in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $163K in expected annual loss and about 14.56 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $22K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Schuyler County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Schuyler County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, 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, Schuyler County ranks #115 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.29 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Low | 14.56 / yr | $163K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $616K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.89 / yr | $146K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.45 / yr | $85K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.65 / yr | $136K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.08 / yr | $37K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $98K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.68 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $855 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $688K |
| 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
Schuyler County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Severe Ice Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Schuyler County?
Schuyler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Schuyler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $5K EAL), Drought (Low, $163K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $22K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Schuyler County compare to other Missouri counties?
Schuyler County ranks #115 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Schuyler County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Schuyler County since 1973, 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. Schuyler County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.