St. Louis City
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
St. Louis City faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 98.7, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $359M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Very High | 15.05 / yr | $172M |
| Tornado | Very High | 0.06 / yr | $28M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.01 / yr | $58M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.29 / yr | $91M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.25 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 53.18 / yr | $874K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.29 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.55 / yr | $434K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.74 / yr | $162K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $827 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $831 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.66 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for St. Louis City?
St. Louis City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.7 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. Louis City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Very High, $172M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $28M EAL), Earthquake (High, $58M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. Louis City compare to other Missouri counties?
St. Louis City ranks #2 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. St. Louis City's $359M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.