Stoddard County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Stoddard County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.3, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Stoddard County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 74.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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 Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $708K in expected annual loss and about 1.34 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 11.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stoddard County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Stoddard County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Stoddard County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.34 / yr | $708K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.85 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.95 / yr | $160K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.66 / yr | $437K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.79 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.65 / yr | $261K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $59K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 3.04 / yr | $149K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Stoddard County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| 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 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Stoddard County?
Stoddard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stoddard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $14M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $708K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stoddard County compare to other Missouri counties?
Stoddard County ranks #26 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stoddard County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Stoddard County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Stoddard County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.