Taney County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Taney County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.0, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $41M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Taney County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 84.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Taney County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.94 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $64K in expected annual loss and about 1.69 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $28M in expected annual loss and about 3.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $41M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, Taney 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: Taney County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2023.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Taney County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.94 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.69 / yr | $64K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.57 / yr | $28M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.21 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 58.40 / yr | $762K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.11 / yr | $189K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.05 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $974K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.08 / yr | $895K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $118K |
| Hail | Low | 6.59 / yr | $397K |
| Drought | Low | 5.23 / yr | $85K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| 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
Taney County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 Taney County?
Taney County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taney County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $64K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $28M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taney County compare to other Missouri counties?
Taney County ranks #12 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Taney County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Taney County since 1976, most often 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2023.
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. Taney County's $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.