Webster County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Webster County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.6, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Webster County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 44.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $861K in expected annual loss and about 1.43 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.37 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Webster County has a very low 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.
History supports the rating: Webster County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 19 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Webster County ranks #68 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.43 / yr | $861K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.37 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.26 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $967K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $198K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.74 / yr | $144K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.50 / yr | $524K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 6.82 / yr | $280K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.39 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Low | 3.25 / yr | $74K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Webster County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (19), Flood (5), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| May 2025 | 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Webster County?
Webster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Webster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $861K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Webster County compare to other Missouri counties?
Webster County ranks #68 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Webster County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Webster County since 1973, most often 19 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in July 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. Webster County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.