Wright County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Wright County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.4, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wright County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 Wright County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $597K in expected annual loss and about 1.36 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 12.05 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $800K in expected annual loss and about 4.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wright County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Wright County has received 25 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 Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Wright County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.36 / yr | $597K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.73 / yr | $800K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $838K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $74K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.86 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.88 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.41 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.65 / yr | $205K |
| Drought | Low | 3.02 / yr | $32K |
| Hail | Low | 6.02 / yr | $100K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Wright County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| January 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| 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 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wright County?
Wright County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wright County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $597K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $800K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wright County compare to other Missouri counties?
Wright County ranks #45 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wright County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Wright 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 Wildfires, 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. Wright County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.