Stone County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Stone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.7, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stone County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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.
Most of Stone County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 5.96 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.59 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $45K in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $30M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stone 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 federal record bears this out: Stone County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Stone County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.96 / yr | $10M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.59 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $45K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.21 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.64 / yr | $13M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.84 / yr | $118K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.40 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.15 / yr | $388K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $531K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Hail | Low | 7.51 / yr | $342K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 4.39 / yr | $117K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| 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
Stone County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stone County?
Stone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $10M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $45K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stone County compare to other Missouri counties?
Stone County ranks #21 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stone County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Stone County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Stone County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.