riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Audrain County Disaster Risk

Audrain County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Audrain County, Missouri

Audrain's risk slightly exceeds state norm

With a composite risk score of 51.40, Audrain County sits just above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the Relatively Low category. This means your county faces slightly elevated natural disaster exposure compared to the typical Missouri community.

Middle-range risk across Missouri

Audrain County ranks in the middle tier of Missouri's natural disaster risk, with exposure levels that exceed roughly half the state's counties. Several neighboring counties carry significantly lower or higher risk profiles.

Riskier than northern neighbors

Audrain County's 51.40 score substantially exceeds nearby Adair County (28.72) and Andrew County (22.14), reflecting greater hazard exposure across multiple disaster types. Your county sits in a transition zone between Missouri's safest and most vulnerable regions.

Earthquake risk stands unusually high

Earthquake exposure dominates Audrain County's risk profile at 77.19—one of the highest in Missouri—due to proximity to the New Madrid seismic zone. Flood (55.28) and tornado (55.76) risks are also notable, making seismic preparedness a unique priority for your area.

Earthquake insurance essential here

Audrain County residents must secure earthquake coverage—a critical and often-overlooked protection due to the New Madrid seismic zone's proximity. Also ensure comprehensive flood and windstorm coverage, and anchor heavy furniture and appliances to walls.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Audrain County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    55th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Audrain County

Risk Verdict

Audrain County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 51th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Audrain County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Audrain County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (55th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 77th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Audrain County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Audrain County's tornado risk at the 56th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Audrain County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Audrain County's composite risk score is within 0.8 points of the Missouri county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Audrain County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Audrain County, MO?
Audrain County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Audrain County?
Audrain County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (77th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 77th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Audrain County risk compare to the Missouri average?
Audrain County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Audrain County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Audrain County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Audrain County's earthquake risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Audrain County is at the 55th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Audrain County higher risk than average?
Audrain County's composite risk score of 51th percentile is above the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (77th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.